"We think he has guard and tackle flexibility," general manager John Lynch said on April 30. "Really good feet and quickness, excellent length as well and we think he's really a scheme fit. We targeted him early, he came out here on a 30 visit and got to know the young man better and became very convicted and were hoping he would be there and he was and we jumped at the opportunity."
Burford started 21 of 23 games in his final two seasons with the Roadrunners, including 11 starts at left tackle in 2021. However, he has experience at right tackle and made 11 starts at left guard in 2019.
"I'm going to play wherever [the 49ers] need me," Burford told reporters after being drafted. "I'm not going to come in and suggest one spot over another. I have a lot of versatility and can play inside or outside, so that's why I feel comfortable. So, wherever they need me, that's where I'm going to play."
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 Burford's four-year contract is set to be $4,451,168, per OverTheCap.com. That includes a signing bonus of $791,168 and a 2022 salary-cap figure of $902,792.
Burford didn't hesitate to respond when asked to assess his strengths and weaknesses.
"I'll start with my weaknesses. Sometimes my aggressive nature sacrifices my technique," Burford admitted. "So, I just need to play more under control, and with my passes, I need to take that one extra kick at the end of the set. I had too much weight on the inside of my foot, so just making sure that my shoulders are balanced, so that way I can still have a good anchor. There's always room for improvement with hand placement. Just playing under control and refining the technique and the little things within the game.
"Some of my strengths: I'm going to run off the ball, for sure. You don't ever have to worry about me lacking on a play. I play hard all the time. I treat the game as a sacred field that you play on. The game means a lot to me, so I'm not going to disrespect it. The other thing that I do really well is coming off and striking on the second level. I'm good with combo blocks, especially in the zone concept. I'm good on the back side of zone, front side of zone, especially with the outside scheme that they run. I just feel like it was a perfect fit."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers mailbag: How much will Kaelon Black play as a rookie? Will SF sign any more free agents? Will the defense be any better in 2026?
The San Francisco 49ers have started OTAs (organized team activities), and there's finally actual football to discuss. It may not be like training camp, but it's close enough. And training camp isn't too far away. We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to see what was on your... -
49ers increase NFL-leading salary cap space to $72 million
The San Francisco 49ers made a couple of key contract adjustments ahead of organized team activities (OTAs), which begin today, restructuring the deals of quarterback Mac Jones and center Jake Brendel. While neither move added years to the players' contracts, the restructures... -
49ers rookie Kaelon Black aims to change draft narrative
The San Francisco 49ers faced immediate scrutiny after selecting running back Kaelon Black with the No. 90 overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft—far earlier than many projections suggested. Additionally, San Francisco's recent track record of drafting running... -
49ers owner Jed York reveals the only NFL Draft pick he ever pushed for
There's often a different energy when Jed York discusses players from his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. For the most part, the San Francisco 49ers owner has stayed hands-off when it comes to draft decisions. However, in a conversation with ESPN's Jamison Hensley,...