49ers camp: Shanahan explains QB, WR signings, praises standout rookies

The San Francisco 49ers made multiple roster moves on Thursday, highlighted by the intriguing signing of quarterback Carter Bradley to a one-year deal. Bradley, the son of assistant head coach Gus Bradley, was one of several players who participated in Wednesday's workout session.

"We had workouts yesterday with receivers and running backs, and we brought him in to throw to them," head coach Kyle Shanahan explained. "And he looked so good in the workout, that made us go in and watch his clips. He had 38 passes last year, and we really liked what we saw in those 38 passes, so we found a way to get him here."

Bradley becomes the fourth quarterback on the roster—not including rookie Kurtis Rourke, who is recovering from an ACL injury. While carrying four quarterbacks isn't always necessary, Shanahan admitted it's a preference during training camp.

"I don't think you need one. You always want one," Shanahan said. "We've got some roster issues, so we wouldn't do it unless we felt he had a legit shot. And we feel he does, just watching him work out yesterday, and watching his film, so that's why we made room for him."

49ers add speed at wide receiver

The 49ers also signed wide receiver Andy Isabella, best known for his time with the Arizona Cardinals. Shanahan has long admired Isabella's elite speed, dating back to his standout performance at the 2019 Senior Bowl.

"Always with him, it started with his 40," Shanahan noted. "Anytime he ran those 4.2s, that sticks out. It's a different type of speed. That's what we noticed when he ran away from us a number of times when he was at Arizona. That's what has kind of made him different.

"Just during the workout yesterday, you could still see he had that speed, and getting some speed in here is something that we thought we needed."

Shanahan is impressed by rookie class

The 49ers selected 11 players in the 2025 NFL Draft, and at least three rookies are already catching Shanahan's eye early on in training camp.

CJ West has been one of the 49ers' most intriguing defensive linemen, consistently impressing in one-on-one drills and team sessions, and earning praise for his strength and technique.

"I see the same in all our D-Linemen, but he's up there doing a good job," Shanahan said. "We put a lot of pressure on those guys with just the lack of depth that we have there with some of the guys we lost, and he's hopped in, along with [DT] Alfred [Collins] and all these guys, where they're going at it each day."

West's bull rush has been especially disruptive, something Shanahan believes will translate well to game action.

"That's what he does best," he added. "It starts with that, and if you have to defend the bull rush all the time, then it makes his moves come alive."

First-round pick Mykel Williams was drafted as part of a pass-rush and defensive front overhaul. The 49ers hope he can bolster their inconsistent pass rush. Reporters have been impressed with Williams, prompting the coach to be asked if the defensive end looks advanced for a rookie.

"Yeah, I would say so," Shanahan said. "Just watching the style of how he played in college, he's just technical and stuff. I thought what jumped out on his tape the most is how good he is with his hands.

"A lot of pass rushers coming out of college, who are talented like him, they just use their talent, but he's as good with his hands as anyone I've seen coming out. And it's transferred over to practice, too."

Lastly, cornerback Upton Stout is earning valuable first-team reps at nickel cornerback. The 49ers hope the rookie defensive back can grow into a long-term answer at the position.

"We were hoping he would be capable of that when we took him," Shanahan said. "We knew that was a position that was open for us. He looked really good in OTAs, and he has looked the same here in these first two weeks.

"So, not crowning him yet, but so far, he has been doing a hell of a job, and hopefully, he can keep getting better at it."

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