On Wednesday, it was reported that the San Francisco 49ers worked out defensive linemen Ahtyba Rubin, Kendall Langford, Jaye Howard, and Tony McDaniel. Something that flew a bit under the radar was a report by Pro Football Talk that, in addition to those four defensive players, the team also took a look at three others.
Mike Florio reported the 49ers worked out defensive backs Devonte Johnson and Josh Thornton, as well as defensive tackle Stefan Charles.
Of the three, Charles has the most NFL experience. He was actually drafted into the CFL by the Edmonton Eskimos in 2013. After that, Charles gained interest from numerous NFL teams including the Seattle Seahawks where current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was serving as the team's defensive quality control coach. Also interested were the Houston Texans, when current 49ers defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina was the team's assistant defensive line coach.
Charles entered the NFL by signing with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in May of 2013 but was waived and then signed to their practice squad the following August. Since then, he has spent time with the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and this past offseason with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who released him on September 3. In his four NFL seasons, Charles has appeared in 49 games while starting two. During that time, he has registered 60 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Johnson was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent out of Weber State a year ago. In August, he signed with the Carolina Panthers but was released on September 1. At Weber State, Johnson earned All-Big Sky Conference honors, appeared in 21 games, recorded 14 pass breakups, and had 76 career tackles in four seasons.
Thornton, who played college football for Southern Utah, signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent following April's draft. He had three interceptions and eight pass breakups last season with the Thunderbirds.