The San Francisco 49ers are making strategic moves as they gear up for the stretch run of the season, and this week’s additions to the practice squad are all about long-term upside and roster flexibility.
The team has signed wide receiver Javon Baker and cornerback Isaiah Bolden-two young players with intriguing athletic profiles and recent ties to the New England Patriots. These aren’t headline-grabbing moves, but they’re the kind of smart, forward-looking decisions that can quietly pay off down the line.
Let’s start with Baker. A fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2023, he didn’t see much action in his rookie season-just one catch for 12 yards on four targets across 11 games.
On paper, that’s not much. But the 49ers aren’t bringing him in for his stat line-they’re bringing him in because of his tools.
Baker has the kind of physical traits that evaluators love to work with: size, burst, and a frame that can handle NFL contact. After being released by New England in August, he had a brief stint with the Eagles’ practice squad before being let go again in October.
San Francisco’s interest in Baker isn’t about plugging a hole right now-it’s about taking a closer look at a player who might develop into a contributor with the right coaching and system fit. With the offseason on the horizon, the 49ers are using this window to evaluate whether Baker has a future in their wide receiver room.
Then there’s Isaiah Bolden, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound corner with eye-popping athleticism. His pro day numbers out of Jackson State jump off the page: a 4.31 40-yard dash, 38-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-9 broad jump. That’s the kind of raw athleticism that teams dream of molding.
Bolden was a seventh-round pick by the Patriots in 2023 and saw action in 14 games. While his snaps were limited, he made the most of them-recording nine tackles, one tackle for loss, and allowing just three catches for 23 yards on seven targets this past season. That kind of efficiency in coverage, even in a small sample size, is worth a second look-especially for a team like San Francisco that values versatility and upside in its secondary.
Bolden was with the Patriots through training camp this year before being released in late August. Now, he gets a fresh opportunity in a system known for developing defensive talent.
These moves come as part of a broader reshuffling for the 49ers. Earlier this week, they opened the practice window for quarterback Kurtis Rourke, leading to the release of Adrian Martinez, who has since returned to the Jets. With kicker Eddy Pineiro returning to practice, veteran Matt Gay is no longer needed, freeing up more roster space.
So what does this all mean for the Niners? In short, this is classic late-season roster management from a team that’s not just thinking about the next few games, but about the bigger picture. By bringing in Baker and Bolden, San Francisco is adding two high-upside, low-risk players who could turn into something more with time and development.
It’s not about making a splash-it’s about giving yourself more options. And as the 49ers push toward the postseason, that kind of roster depth could prove valuable, both now and in the months to come.