Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco 49ers have signed former Penn State cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields to his rookie four-year deal. The team made him the 43rd pick (No. 221 overall) in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
"Corner from Penn State, any time you play DB at Penn State you're doing something right," general manager John Lynch said on April 30. "He's, this guy, he's got all the height, weight, speed, started a number of games at Penn State. I went back to that Pro Day, listened to the coaches speak glowingly about him and we liked that pick there."
Castro-Fields registered 33 tackles and six passes defensed through 12 game appearances as a senior in 2021, per
Sports Reference. He recorded 139 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, a sack, 25 passes defensed, three interceptions, and a forced fumble through his five collegiate seasons.
"I feel like I came from a system where I did a whole lot," Castro-Fields told reporters after being drafted when asked to assess his strengths and weaknesses. "I ran cover-3 and man. You name it, we did it, so I'm well-versed in all coverages. I can cover, my size, my speed. Of course, I can work on my eyes and all the fundamentals. The league is super fundamental-based and that is what separates people. I'm just ready to work as hard as I can and go. This is amazing."
Thanks to the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which runs through the 2030 season, all rookie contracts are for a length of four years. First-round selections come with an option for a fifth year, which doesn't apply to any of the 49ers' nine draft selections.
The total value of Castro-Fields' four-year contract is set to be $3,815,412, per OverTheCap.com. That includes a signing bonus of $155,412 and a 2022 salary-cap figure of $743,853.
What is Castro-Fields most looking forward to as he begins his NFL journey?
"I think just to prove myself again," he responded. "We are starting at square one. I'm going to be a rookie again and I can't wait to shock the world and prove everything that I know. I can't wait to bring it to the 49ers. I have family in The Bay, so this is a dream come true. It is a perfect spot for me and I can't wait to go to work."
According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Las Vegas Raiders have signed former San Francisco 49ers defensive end Jordan Willis, an unrestricted free agent.
The Raiders have signed former 49ers DE Jordan Willis.— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 20, 2023
The defensive end gets a one-year deal from the
The San Francisco 49ers have several positions to bolster via the upcoming draft. While most of the starting lineup seems set, the team lost some key depth via free agency.
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter published his latest four-round mock draft and has the 49ers addressing some of those needs. Unfortunately, San Francisco doesn't make a pick until late in the third round, where they own three of the final four selections in that round.
Reuter has the Niners adding BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland at pick No. 99.
San Francisco watched starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey depart for the Denver Broncos. The
According to NFL Media's Mike Garafolo, the San Francisco 49ers are signing former Carolina Panthers safety Myles Hartsfield. He reunites with 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, the Panthers' former interim head coach.
The #49ers have agreed to terms with DB Myles Hartsfield, source says. He wasn't tendered by the #Panthers as a restricted
According to Kim Jones of Newsday, the San Francisco 49ers are signing center Jon Feliciano to a one-year deal.
"[The New York Giants] lose a veteran on the offensive line and a great locker room guy," writes Jones.
Jon Feliciano tells Newsday he has a one-year deal with the 49ers. NYG lose a veteran on the offensive line and a great locker room guy.— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) March 20,
