Earlier on Monday, we hinted at the fact the San Francisco 49ers could sign a potential player now that they have the 11th-most cap space in the NFL. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Niners signed former Washington Commanders tight end Logan Thomas.
This comes after the 49ers watched OTAs without star tight end George Kittle in action as he recovers from a core muscle injury. Kittle said he’ll be ready for training camp. Second-year tight end Cameron Latu has also been sidelined with an injury since last year. He, too, figures to return in training camp.
Thomas, 6’6, 250 pounds, is the prototypical receiving tight end. The quarterback-turned-tight end has never had much of a reputation as a blocker. But he’s superior to any backup tight end the 49ers have had on the roster during Kyle Shanahan’s tenure as a head coach.
Thomas has been in Washington since 20220. Last year, he had 55 receptions for 496 yards and four touchdowns. In 2022, Thomas had 39 receptions for 323 yards and a touchdown. Without checking, that’s more than the production behind Kittle.
The good news for the 49ers and Thomas is they don’t need him to be a star tight end. Thomas simply needs to be a viable threat in the passing game. Thomas is more of a slot receiver than a tight end based on his usage last season. He ran 80 percent of his routes from the slot or out wide, compared to 20 percent as an inline tight end.
The addition of Thomas is likely a sign that the “other” tight ends on the roster hadn’t impressed or given the coaching staff confidence that they’d be ready to play come Week 1.