Training camp for the San Francisco 49ers begins Sunday with the veterans reporting on Saturday. The 49ers’ rookie class has reported, which includes their draft class and the undrafted free agents brought in after the draft. The seven undrafted free agents under contract are: TE Khalil Dinkins, Penn State; DL Bryson Eason, Tennessee; WR Wesley Grimes, NC State; DL Mikail Kamara, Indiana; WR Will Pauling, Notre Dame; S Jalen Stroman, Notre Dame; and DL James Thompson Jr, Illinois.
Currently, the 49ers
have several players who went undrafted. Center Jake Brendel, OG Robert Jones, LB Luke Gifford, DE Andrew Farmer II, DL Evan Anderson, Safety Derrick Canteen, RB Patrick Taylor, and TE Jake Tonges were all UDFAs. Brendel and Jones could be starting next to each other on the offensive line in 2026. Basically, the 49ers have found production from undrafted players.
Which 2026 49ers UDFA has the best chance to make the 53-man roster?
The first place to look is the defensive line. That would make Eason, Kamara, and Thompson Jr. the most likely candidates. Dinkins has an outside chance, but that would take George Kittle not being ready for Week 1 and the team cutting Brayden Willis. Perhaps a practice squad spot is more likely for Dinkins.
The one player to watch during training camp will be Kamara. The 24-year-old defensive lineman was a force for the national champion Indiana Hoosiers. After three seasons at James Madison, Kamara hit the portal and had two successful campaigns with the Hoosiers. 2024 was his best season with ten sacks and a career-high 86.4 defensive grade and 88.5 pass-rushing grade.
2025 was a step back in the sack department for Kamara, only notching two, but he did finish with nine more hurries than in 2024. Let’s consider his competition for a spot on the defensive line. Your locks are C.J. West, Alfred Collins, Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, Sam Okuayinonu, Keion White, and rookies Gracen Halton and Romello Height.
Kamara would have to jump Evan Anderson and the other UDFA competition for a roster spot. I’d bet on Kamara, who should have been drafted, to impress and open eyes. The 49ers will need as much help as they can get on the defensive line. Waves of pass rushers are important, and Kamara can provide reliable depth.
Look out for the Hoosier.
