Pros, cons of 49ers signing Furman's Mason Pline to free-agent deal after 2024 NFL Draft

Pros, cons of 49ers signing Furman’s Mason Pline to free-agent deal after 2024 NFL Draft

Posted by author April 28, 2024 Football

Mason Pline from Furman football has signed a free agent deal with the San Francisco 49ers after going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday, according to a university news release.

Here’s what the tight end brings to the 49ers, based on our own observations from his tenure at Furman:

What undrafted free agent Mason Pline brings to 49ers

At 6-foot-7, 260 pounds, Pline delivers size, athleticism and tremendous ball skills. A former college basketball player at Ferris State, he has great hands and an innate ability to high-point the ball. He transitioned to football after three seasons playing basketball and was the starting tight end on back-to-back Division II national championship teams with the Bulldogs before transferring to Furman.

Pline, who played in both the Hula Bowl and the East-West Shrine Bowl to cap his college career, is a solid route runner and has enough speed to stretch the field. He had a pro day in front of scouts from 16 NFL teams on April 9 and posted a 4.81 in the 40-yard dash and a 33-inch vertical jump.

Mason Pline’s highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Furman

It took a while for Pline to make his impact at Furman, but he distinguished himself in the latter part of the season while helping the Paladins to a 10-3 record and the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. He played particularly well in an overtime playoff loss against Montana, grabbing a career-high nine receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Pline’s biggest plus is his size, and he uses that to effectively box out opponents, but he also has soft hands. A challenge for opposing defenses to tackle, he flashed a knack for gaining considerable yardage after the catch.

His run blocking could use some work, but he possesses enough pluck and “streak of mean” to improve in that area.

Mason Pline’s stats at Furman

Pline had 32 receptions for 287 yards and four touchdowns in the 2023 season.

Mason Pline’s potential in NFL

Pline projects as a “Joker” tight end, which will immediately emphasize his pass-catching abilities that already appear to be at an NFL level. He will have to work to enhance and improve his blocking skills, but he possesses the size and route-running ability to emerge as a contender for a roster spot with the 49ers.

Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ScottKeepfer