Granted, seventh-round NFL Draft picks stand slim chances of hanging around on a team's 53-man roster (unless you're a quarterback like Brock Purdy).
So, it's not fully fair to lump San Francisco 49ers linebacker Jalen Graham into the disappointment category.
However, it is fair to suggest his Niners tenure is awfully tenuous.
The 2023 Round 7 pickup out of Purdue has already seen his rookie contract with San Francisco terminated once, being waived as part of roster cuts in what was his second pro season after being drafted. Inked to the Washington Commanders' practice squad not long thereafter, the 49ers nevertheless brought him back onto the active roster in October of 2024 as a contingency plan to help alleviate against their own linebacker shortages.
During this offseason, though, the Niners spent considerable effort revamping their linebacker room, and that all spells trouble for the 24-year-old Graham.
Jalen Graham's roster chances with 49ers are slim (at best)
San Francisco watched the bulk of its 2024 linebacker room behind All-Pro Fred Warner clear out over the offseason, which included notable departures like Dre Greenlaw, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and the controversial De'Vondre Campbell.
One would figure that would benefit Graham, yet the 49ers appear to be pinning more hopes on other backers like Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune and the 2025 rookie draftee, Nick Martin, to fill the voids.
Likewise, the onboarding of Chazz Surratt and Luke Gifford to meet the needs of coordinators Robert Saleh and Brant Boyer don't bode well for Graham's chances, as the 6-foot-3 backer gets pushed even further down the depth chart entering training camp.
On a one-year deal worth up to $1.03 million with zero in guarantees, parting ways with Graham won't hurt the Niners' pocketbook.
So, for the embattled linebacker to survive roster cuts this go-around he'll have to showcase his prowess especially on special teams where he made the bulk of his impact in 2024 -- 125 of his 163 total snaps played over eight games last year were on special teams.
However, there'll be plenty of competition on that front, too, meaning Graham will have to finally turn a proverbial page to ensure he earns a spot.
It won't be easy.
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