Former Tennessee Vols defensive lineman Bryson Eason wasn’t selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, but he has a real chance to make an NFL roster this fall.

The San Francisco 49ers signed Eason as an undrafted free agent shortly after the conclusion of the draft.

A big reason the 49ers signed Eason is because they felt he should’ve been drafted.

That’s why it’s not a surprise that Eason was recently named by Bleacher Report as the undrafted free agent most likely to make the 49ers’ 53-man roster.

Interestingly, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport said the reason that Eason wasn’t drafted was because he’s still learning how to be a high-level defensive tackle after entering college as a linebacker.

“At 6’2″ and 323 pounds, Eason is most assuredly a space-eater,” wrote Davenport. “But as his 5.09-second 40-yard dash time shows, Eason didn’t lose all of his quickness when he got bigger. What kept him from getting drafted is that his technique and knowledge of his new position haven’t caught up to his new frame just yet.”

Eason, who is from Memphis, was rated as the No. 17 inside linebacker in the 2020 recruiting class.

Marc Adams of 49ers Web Zone feels similar about Eason’s chances to make an impact for the 49ers as a rookie.

“While he isn’t an explosive interior pass rusher, Eason plays with leverage, power, and effort,” noted Adams. “Those traits often earn defensive tackles rotational roles early in their careers. With San Francisco emphasizing depth up front, Eason could carve out a role as an early-down run defender.”

Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who coached Eason at Tennessee from 2021 to 2025, said in early 2025 that Eason was one of the most gifted defenders on UT’s roster.

“Obviously, Bryson is very talented, and we’ve always talked about that every year,” said Garner. “He’s one of the more gifted kids that we have, but just seeing him being more attentive to doing the little things. He is a talented guy, everybody when they are writing him up with the scouts and coaches, his talent jumps out.

“But there are some things that he needs to clean up in his game. And for him to come out and at least be focused on fixing certain things that we’ve talked about, that’s really encouraging, and it shows to me that he’s maturing. And that’s showing that he’s growing as a man and he’s taking it seriously.” 

Eason has to prove himself in training camp, but he has a real chance to make the 49ers’ 53-man roster in 2026 — as long as he stays healthy.