49ers' hidden gems live up to the hype by officially making the team despite longshot odds
The San Francisco 49ers have officially unveiled their initial 53-man roster, which featured no shortage of surprises. A host of names expected to make the cut did not do so, leaving room on the roster for some relative unknowns to try to make an impact in the regular season. And there are three hidden gems […]
The San Francisco 49ers have officially unveiled their initial 53-man roster, which featured no shortage of surprises.
A host of names expected to make the cut did not do so, leaving room on the roster for some relative unknowns to try to make an impact in the regular season.
And there are three hidden gems who stand out most among those who upset the odds.
TE Jake Tonges
Tonges did not receive much attention as a potential candidate to make the roster until late in the preseason, attracting plaudits for his consistency as recent draft picks Brayden Willis and Cameron Latu did not make the impressions they desired during the exhibition schedule.
A Bay Area native from Los Gatos in Santa Clara County, Tonges caught all nine of his targets for 63 yards in preseason. Latu may have displayed more in terms of upside, racking up 84 yards on eight catches in the three exhibitions, but Tonges already had credit in the bank after serving on the 49ers’ practice squad and scout team last season while the 49ers’ 2023 third-round pick was on the shelf with a knee injury.
Tonges was the only other tight end outside of All-Pro George Kittle to make the initial roster as Eric Saubert, Logan Thomas and undrafted free agent Mason Pline joined Latu and Willis in being cut. The 49ers are unlikely to carry just two tight ends going forward, but local boy Tonges can take pride in performing to a standard that made him the one outside of Kittle they wanted to make sure they kept.
DE Sam Okuayinonu
Okuayinonu was a huge longshot to make the 53, with the former Tennessee Titan perhaps benefiting from an injury to Yetur Gross-Matos in the final preseason game. Gross-Matos is week-to-week with a knee sprain.
A 2022 undrafted free agent out of Maryland, Okuayinonu had a sack on the final drive of that tie with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Usually a player's presence that late in the game would point to him not making the team. However, Okuayinonu possesses explosive athletic traits that fit the 49ers' defensive line to a tee.
With a lack of depth at outside pass rusher behind Nick Bosa and with both Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd dealing with injuries, the Niners needed more options off the edge. Okuayinonu has the physical traits to fit the bill.
LB Tatum Bethune
More prominent members of the 49ers' 2024 draft class have caught the eye this preseason, but Bethune made himself impossible to cut with an outstanding performance across San Francisco's three exhibition games.
The former Florida State linebacker made 12 tackles on defense, per Pro Football Focus, showing impressive closing speed in pursuit and when attacking downhill as well as an ability to slip and successfully take on blocks at the second level.
What likely secured his place on the 53, however, was his impact on special teams. Bethune registered a special teams tackle in each of the final two preseason games.
Fast, physical and extremely productive, Bethune ticks all the boxes for a 49er linebacker. With Dre Greenlaw's long-term future in some doubt, it would be no surprise to see Bethune blossom into a key contributor for San Francisco in the coming years.
49ers’ NFC rivals put more pressure on them to get Brandon Aiyuk deal done with latest blockbuster news
It might be the push they need.
