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49ers see two of their recent draft picks head to NFC rivals, with one significant disappointment getting a third chance

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated Jan 21, 2025 9:29 PM ET

While the San Francisco 49ers have already gotten a lot from their class of 2024 draft picks, the 2023 draft looks set to go down as a disappointing.

Two members of the class from two years ago signed with NFC rivals on Tuesday, though San Francisco is unlikely to lose much sleep other either move.

Wide receiver Ronnie Bell, a seventh-round pick of the Niners, signed a reserve/futures deal with the Detroit Lions. On top of that, Cameron Latu, a third-round selection in the same year, signed a reserve/futures deal with the Phiadelphia Eagles.

Bell ended the year on the 49ers' practice squad but was not re-signed following the end of San Francisco's season. That decision followed a difficult year for Bell in which his presence on the team was consistently scrutinized, particularly after a critical drop in the 49ers' Week 3 collapse against the Los Angeles Rams.

Bad drop by Ronnie Bell pic.twitter.com/ed7caCLv3m
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) September 22, 2024

He was waived on November 29 before being re-signed to the practice squad four days later.

Now he gets the chance to return to Michigan, having played his college football for the Wolverines, though there has been little evidence from his career to this point that he can be a difference-maker for the Lions if he makes the team or their practice squad.

The same can be said of Latu, who never played a regular-season game for the Niners. His rookie season was lost to a knee injury after a disappointing training camp and he failed to make the 53-man roster in 2024, with the Cleveland Browns scooping him up and signing him to their practice squad.

Latu did not play in a game for the Browns during his time in Cleveland, and he'll be hoping it's third time lucky in Philadelphia next year.

San Francisco made an addition to its offseason roster on Tuesday, signing former Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears safety Quindell Johnson to a reserve/futures deal.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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