49′ers Sign First-Round Draft Pick

With the first day of training camp practices beginning today, the 49ers will have their top draft pick in uniform– defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer. The "San Francisco Chronicle" reports both sides were able to reach an agreement on a contract late Wednesday night and Balmer flew from Los Angeles to the Bay Area in time for the opening of camp yesterday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder University of North Carolina product was the last of the team's six draft picks to sign a contract. He was taken 29th overall in the first round. "I'm glad it's over and I can just get to work playing football," Balmer said on the team's web-site. Balmer is expected to be used as a defensive end in the team's "3-4? alignment while also spending time at the tackle position.