5 players who have impressed me, & 5 players who haven’t impressed me this offseason

With the first two weeks of the preseason in the books, it’s time to take a look at what players have impressed me the most, and which players didn’t impress me.

First the 5 who have impressed me the most.

1. WR Ronnie Bell – Bell had a great game Saturday night, with 7 receptions for 114 yards, along with a nice kick return, he’s shown great speed, and really, in my opinion, has locked up a roster spot.
2. LT Ilm Manning – The UDFA Manning has played well, not getting thrown around, unlike other offensive lineman on the team, he’s handled himself well, keeping up in both pass protection, and run blocking, he has an upper hand at making the 53 as a backup tackle/guard.
3. MLB Jalen Graham – The 7^th-rounder out of Purdue has really shown a nose for the football, getting in on several tackles, and forcing a fumble, there’s no way I see Graham passing waivers.
4. SLB Dee Winters – Winters, the teams’ 6^th-rounder has also been good, on special teams, and defense, and like with Graham, I just can’t see Winters clearing waivers.
5. CB D’Shawn Jamison – Despite his muffed punt return Saturday night, he’s looked really good thus far, he has such great speed, and has played both outside corner, and in the slot, I think the 49ers found a gem in Jamison, a UDFA out of Texas.

Now 5 players who just haven’t impressed me.

1. LG Nick Zakelj – Zakelj, a former 6^th-round draft pick in 2022 just isn’t really playing well, getting pushed around, I just have a hard time seeing him making the final 53, he’s been that bad in my eyes.
2. DT Javon Kinlaw – Kinlaw really hasn’t been impressive, he missed Saturday’s game due to an illness, and he really should be a trade candidate, but due to his salary being fully guaranteed, I doubt he doesn’t make the team, as the reports were he slimmed down, and has had a good camp.
3. SLB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles – I know he was given time with the ones this past Saturday, but for someone who was given $1.25 million guaranteed, he just doesn’t look the part.
4. CB Isaiah Oliver – The 49ers gave Oliver over $2.9 million guaranteed, but he’s failed to look like the player he was in Atlanta, where he was the 6^th ranked cornerback in run defense, he just doesn’t look good out there, he could be a cut, or trade candidate.
5. FS Myles Hartsfield – Another key acquisition by the 49ers this offseason, a Steve Wilks guy, just hasn’t looked the part, sure he has had some nice plays, but other than that he’s a liability in coverage.

I thank you for reading, and follow me on Twitter @49erscap.

About Author

Jason Hurley

Die Hard 49ers fan from New York, been covering the 49ers salary cap since 2005, with several different websites, including NinersNation.com, & the now defunct NinerCapHell, I have a track record of being as accurate as possible, I try to be as thorough as possible, and you can find me on X/Twitter @49erscap, & on Blue Sky App @49erscap.bsky.social.

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