5 Players Who Might Find Themselves on 49ers' Practice Squad in 2015

Only certain players on the San Francisco 49ers are eligible for the practice squad.

Any player who has been on an NFL team’s active roster for six or more games can’t be on a practice squad, according to Mark Sandritter of SB Nation.

If a player was on a roster for six or more games but was on the 45-man game-day roster fewer than nine times that season, he’s still practice-squad eligible, per Sandritter. The rules are tricky, but their intent is to reserve the practice squad for eight young players who need development.

Per Sandritter, players can spend no more than two seasons on a practice squad. Other youngsters need a chance to develop too.

With all of that in mind, here are five players who might find themselves on the 49ers’ practice squad in 2015.

Jarryd Hayne, Running Back/Returner, Rookie

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Twenty-seven-year-old Jarryd Hayne was the Rugby League Player of the Year in 2014. He is one of the best athletes in the world, but he has never played tackle football.

Rugby League involves tackling, but the players don’t wear pads. So they brace themselves for hits, unlike NFL players who collide full speed because they wear pads and helmets. Hayne has to get used to football collisions, and NFL teams don’t simulate those in OTAs or minicamp.

Hayne’s first live action will come during the first preseason game. He probably won’t be very good. He needs to acclimate himself to a new sport, which probably will take time.

And that would work out fine for the Niners. As long as no team wants Hayne on its final 53-man roster after the preseason, they can stash him on their practice squad and develop him for 2016.

Kenneth Acker, Cornerback, 2nd Season

Michael Zito/Associated Press

Last year, 2014 sixth-round pick Kenneth Acker played well the first two games of the preseason, giving up only two catches and breaking up one, according to Pro Football Focus.

Acker didn’t play as well the final two games of the preseason, but he was playing through a stress fracture in his foot, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. The Niners placed Acker on injured reserve, and he missed his entire rookie season.

If Acker plays as well during this year’s preseason as he did during the first two games of last year’s preseason, he’ll make some team’s final roster—probably the Niners’ final roster.

But Acker struggled during OTAs and minicamp. Six cornerbacks currently are ahead of him on the Niners' depth chart. If Acker continues to struggle, the Niners should be able to sneak him onto their practice squad without another team claiming him off of waivers.

Trey Millard, Fullback, 2nd Season

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Former Oklahoma fullback Trey Millard had a torn ACL when the 49ers spent a seventh-round draft pick on him in 2014.

Before Millard tore his ACL, he was one of the best fullbacks in college football. And he wasn't just a blocker. He could run (5.5 yards per carry) and catch passes (9.7 yards per catch).

But he's still a fullback, and the Niners don’t need two. They have Bruce Miller, arguably the best fullback in the NFL. Millard’s best chance to make the final roster would be as an H-back, but he didn’t play that position during OTAs or minicamp.

The demand around the league for a “redshirt” former seventh-round-pick fullback like Millard probably is pretty low. So the Niners should have no trouble getting him on their practice squad.

Dres Anderson, Wide Receiver, Undrafted Rookie

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Former Utah wide receiver Dres Anderson finished 2013 with 1,002 receiving yards—fifth best in the Pac-12. He had more receiving yards that season than former USC receiver Nelson Agholor, whom the Philadelphia Eagles drafted this year in Round 1.

Anderson tore his meniscus in 2014 halfway through his senior season, and as a result, no one drafted him.

I can see why. During team drills at OTAs and minicamps this offseason, Anderson seemed tentative, as if he wasn’t running or cutting as hard as he could. Maybe he was protecting his knee.

No team needs a tentative wide receiver. The Niners probably will give Anderson a year on the practice squad to regain strength and confidence.

Issac Blakeney, Wide Receiver, Undrafted Rookie

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Issac Blakeney started just 18 of 40 games in three seasons at Duke. If he couldn’t establish himself as a wide receiver in college, how will he make it as a wide receiver in the NFL?

He might not have to. Blakeney plays special teams as well. Perhaps the Niners envision him as a future special teams ace.

The past two years one of the Niners' best special teams players was Kassim Osgood, a 6’5” undrafted wide receiver, just like Blakeney. Osgood had no ability to get open and make catches, but he was big and fast—a perfect gunner on the punt coverage team.

Osgood retired this offseason at the age of 35, and the Niners need a replacement for him. Blakeney might be that guy, but he probably needs a year to develop on the practice squad.

All practice observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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