Reports: 49ers cut slew of former third-round picks Tuesday
Aug 27, 2024, 12:02 PM | Updated: 5:05 pm
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 19: Danny Gray #6 of the San Francisco 49ers returns a kickoff during the game against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Broncos 21-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
Roster cutdowns always give us a few surprises, with the 49ers being no exception in 2024.
Reports emerged Tuesday that the San Francisco 49ers are moving on from three former third-round picks. Those names include wide receiver Danny Gray and tight end Cameron Latu. Additionally, TE Brayden Willis, a seventh-rounder, has also been cut.
All three men have had sporadic moments of success with the Red & Gold. But unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, now set to hit waivers this week.
The Athletic’s Matt Barrows was first with the news.
First surprise of the day: 49ers waived TEs Brayden Willis and Cameron Latu, per sources. Both were 2023 draft picks, Latu a third rounder.
Both are practice squad candidates if they clear waivers.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 27, 2024
Danny Gray, 25, is a former third-round pick by the 49ers, taken out of SMU in 2022. After making big plays in his first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, Gray struggled to find consistency, only recording one catch for 10 yards in his NFL career. Injuries have also sidelined him, missing the entire 2023 season due to a shoulder issue.
Cameron Latu, 24, is in a similar boat, missing all of last season after suffered a major lower-body issue in the preseason. Since then, the Alabama product has struggled to climb the depth chart, unable to become a complete tight end to this point with the 49ers.
The biggest surprise comes with Willis’s departure however. The Oklahoma product, 24, made the roster his rookie year, serving as the fourth option. Willis has improved since, becoming a versatile member of the pass, run, and special-teams game for the 49ers.
Both men could still join the 49ers practice squad if they are not claimed by another team.
The 49ers still have many more cuts to go on one of the worst days during the NFL calendar year.
#49ers known reported cuts:
WR Danny Gray
WR Robbie Chosen
QB Tanner Mordecai
RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
RB Matt Breida
P Pressley Harvin
OL Lewis Kidd
WR Jontre Kirklin— Rohan Chakravarthi (@RohanChakrav) August 27, 2024
San Francisco 49ers 2024 Schedule:
Regular Season
- Monday, September 9th vs. New York Jets – 5:15 pm PDT
- Sunday, September 15th @ Minnesota Vikings – 10 am PDT
- Sunday, September 22nd – @ Los Angeles Rams – 1:25 pm PDT
- Sunday, September 29th vs. New England Patriots – 1:05 pm PDT
- Sunday, October 6th vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 pm PDT
