Blog Post

49ers Add Former 2nd RD Pick To Secondary

Brad Graham • January 4, 2021

Obi Melifonwu hasn't stuck anywhere, will he stick with the 49ers?

Welcome to the gang, Obi.

I could honestly say I never anticipated this move ever happening. Also, considering it's the first day of #Draftszn, it's wild that we signed Obi based on my previous elevations of him coming out of UCONN.

The story goes:

I am hearing all this hype about a 6'4" safety who is supposed to be everything Taylor Mays was supposed to be in the NFL.

- Prototypical size/frame/speed -- What's not to love?

When you look at OBi, he looks like a physical specimen but when I turned on his college tape he was far from that. My draft evaluation was not kind to Obi, as he received A TON of pre-draft hype that ultimately had him selected by the Raiders in the 2nd round.

At the time, I was doing a podcast with John Constable (die-hard Raider fan) and I was elated that his team had selected Obi because I determined Obi to be a insta-bust (instant bust) and flame out of the league.

Fast forward past draft day, Obi was cut by the Raiders just a year after they selected him in the 2nd round. The hyped prospect failed to stay healthy his rookie season, spending most of the year on IR. After being released, he went unclaimed by any team in the NFL.

The Patriots ended up signing him to a two-year deal but Obi wouldn't cut it for Bill Bilicheck, being released around the NFL Draft last season.

Until now, Obi spent the entire 2020 season on the couch, during an unprecedented year were availability was huge with players going on and off the Covid list, yet Obi never made it to a practice squad.

I will be shocked to see Obi stick on the roster once the season begins.

< Older Post Newer Post >