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Niners Nation fantasy football takes on Brayden Willis
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Niners Nation about Brayden Willis.
13
Insights
4
Positive
5
Negative
Insight ledger
All Niners Nation insights about Brayden Willis
PositiveDepth ChartSep 15, 2026
Promoted to the San Francisco 49ers active roster; expected to replace Jake Tonges at tight end, signaling a depth chart upgrade and increased opportunity for playing time in the 49ers offense.NegativeDepth ChartSep 7, 2026
Willis went unclaimed on waivers and is set to return to the 49ers practice squad with potential elevation to the active roster for Week 1 against the Rams. A 7th-round pick from 2023 with minimal regular-season production, Willis showed positional versatility during preseason and lined up at fullback 15 times; his best offensive contribution path is at fullback. He did not leave Australia and is expected to practice with the team after rejoining the practice squad.NegativeDepth ChartSep 6, 2026
Waived by the 49ers Saturday to make room for long snapper Jon Weeks; went unclaimed on waivers. Willis showed positional versatility during preseason but has as many regular-season receptions since 2023 as a typical undrafted player. Expected to return to practice squad and potentially be elevated for Week 1 against the Rams. Best offensive contribution likely at fullback (15 snaps in preseason), positioning him as backup to Kyle Juszczyk, who is 35 and entering the final year of his contract. Willis's waiver suggests the team views him as a fullback prospect rather than tight end contributor.NegativeDepth ChartSep 6, 2026
Waived by the 49ers to make room for veteran long snapper Jon Weeks on the active roster for Week 1 eligibility. Willis, a seventh-round 2023 pick, had been on and off the roster for multiple seasons; the decision to keep him over undrafted rookie Bryson Eason in hindsight was puzzling given Eason's superior preseason film. Willis registered no solo tackles on 32 special teams snaps during preseason and faced a crowded tight end depth chart with Kyle Juszczyk practicing and George Kittle returning, making his path to playing time nonexistent.NegativeDepth ChartSep 5, 2026
The San Francisco 49ers waived tight end Brayden Willis, removing him from the roster. Willis had been on and off the roster for a couple of seasons; despite a couple of impressive blocks in preseason, he was unlikely to contribute on a down-to-down basis. He did not register a solo tackle on 32 special teams snaps during preseason. With Kyle Juszczyk practicing and George Kittle returning to health, Willis had no path to playing time in the 49ers' tight end room.NegativeDepth ChartSep 2, 2026
Willis making the roster felt like a hedge in case Kittle can't play right away; keeping a seventh-rounder who has been on and off the roster felt like a risk you didn't need to take, despite what Willis did in the preseason—he likely would have cleared waivers.NegativeInjuryAug 31, 2026
Tight end Brayden Willis is on the 53-man roster with a concussion; head coach Kyle Shanahan noted he could return to practice this week.NegativeRoleAug 30, 2026
Brayden Willis made the 49ers' 53-man roster in Week 1, functioning as a hedge in case George Kittle is not ready to play, suggesting a backup tight end role.NegativeDepth ChartAug 25, 2026
Projected to make the practice squad; has lined up at fullback 10 times through three preseason games, indicating a specialized role in the 49ers' offensive scheme.PositiveDepth ChartAug 24, 2026
Projected to make the practice squad; has lined up at fullback 10 times through three preseason games, demonstrating versatility in the tight end/fullback role.PositiveRoleAug 21, 2026
Willis took 37 snaps (43.6 grade) and performed dirty work at the fullback spot, including a beautiful seal block that helped spring McCormick's long run, demonstrating versatility and value in the 49ers' offensive scheme.NegativeRoleAug 14, 2026
Tight end Brayden Willis was taught emergency quarterback snap procedures at halftime of the preseason opener due to the 49ers' lack of available quarterbacks after Kurtis Rourke's rib injury. The team was preparing Willis to potentially take snaps and hand off the ball in case backup Adrian Martinez also suffered an injury, highlighting the team's quarterback depth concerns.PositiveRoleAug 4, 2026
Willis made an incredible back-shoulder, one-handed catch defended by Patrick McMorris, though he was only noticed that one time during practice.