49ers Grab Second Ex-Viking in 1 Week
The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a lost season that ended without a playoff appearance. It was an injury-riddled campaign for the NFC West franchise. That team has lost some key players in this year’s free agency. The Vikings acquired Javon Hargrave and Jordan Mason from the 49ers.
49ers Grab Second Ex-Viking in 1 Week
In return, however, the 49ers keep adding former Minnesotans. Just a few days ago, the club signed linebacker and special-teams ace Chazz Surratt to the offseason roster.
On Tuesday, wide receiver Malik Knowles joined.
The 49ers announced on their website: “The San Francisco 49ers today announced that DL Bryce Huff has passed his physical with the team, therefore completing the trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. In addition, the team signed WR Malik Knowles to a one-year deal, waived OL Nicholas Petit-Frere and placed WR Trent Taylor on the Injured Reserve List.”
Bryce Huff was a premier free agent a year ago. The Vikings were in the market for pass-rushing, but smartly paid Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard instead.
More about Knowles: “Knowles (6-2, 196) originally entered the NFL after signing with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2023. He has spent his two-year career with the Vikings (2023-24) and Green Bay Packers (2024).”
The wideout attended Kansas State, where he appeared in 51 games through five seasons. His best statistical output came in 2022, his last year in school. Knowles recorded 48 catches for 725 yards and two touchdowns that year and added another 164 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He was also a dynamic kick returner in his career, scoring three touchdowns.
Coming out of college in 2023, Knowles lacked any pre-draft measurements due to an injury recovery, and he went undrafted. The Vikings signed him. Unfortunately, he was waived with a non-football-injury designation and spent his debut season on IR.
Last year, he tried to qualify for the 53-man roster but was waived following the preseason. He caught one pass for a one-yard touchdown in that preseason. The Packers signed him to their practice squad but released him in November. Since then, he has been looking for a new job.
Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline described Knowles’ skillset ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, “Tall, surehanded receiver who also impacts games as a kick returner. Uses his hands to separate from defenders, shields away opponents with his frame, and gets vertical then adjusts or contorts in midair to make the reception.”
The 49ers’ wideouts:
- Brandon Aiyuk
- Jauan Jennings
- Ricky Pearsall
- Jacob Cowing
- Demarcus Robinson
- Russell Gage
- Jordan Watkins
- Isaiah Hodgins
- Terique Owens
- Junior Bergen
- Isaiah Neyor
- Malik Knowles
Most teams keep five or six of those guys on the team, so he has to surpass about half of them to have a chance. Potentially, his kick-returning experience gained in college can help him. In theory, a player with receiving and rushing plays on his resume is perfect to replace departed dual-threat Deebo Samuel, but suddenly becoming a star player is a long shot.
Another former Viking on the 49ers: kicker Greg Joseph. He will compete with former third-rounder Jake Moody for the one kicking spot.
The preseason will be big for all three Surratt, Joseph, and Knowles. The latter is still only 24 years old and can’t be counted out just yet.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.