49ers cut rookie wide receiver K.D. Cannon after rookie camp
Nine days into his professional football career K.D. Cannon has already been cut
Making it in the NFL is one of the toughest tasks in professional sports, let alone the “real world.” The odds of making a 53-man roster are already slim, with 1.6% of collegiate players making the league. Going undrafted makes those odds even tougher, and K.D. Cannon is facing that harsh reality.
Baylor standout K.D. Cannon watched 253 football players be selected over him in the 2017 NFL Draft last month, and was as surprised as anyone he went undrafted. With 3,113 receiving yards at Baylor, Cannon is third on the Bears all-time receiving yards list.
While Cannon has the speed to play football, the rest of his skills may not translate to the next level.
Signing with San Francisco as an undrafted free agent Cannon had an opportunity to earn a spot on a depleted roster. Losing Torrey Smith in the offseason the 49ers depth chart features Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin at wide receiver.
Despite their receiver troubles, San Francisco drafted only two pass catchers (wide receiver Trent Taylor and tight end George Kittle) with their 10 draft picks.
Cannon had a legitimate chance to make the 49ers roster and attended rookie camp with the team after inking a $45,000 signing bonus. Nine days later, he found himself placed on waivers after forgoing his final year of collegiate eligibility.
I've been told former #Baylor WR K.D. Cannon has been cut by the @49ers. He signed as a non-drafted free agent. #NFL
— David Smoak (@DavidSmoak) May 7, 2017
Having Cannon in-house for a week was enough for San Francisco to see the former First-Team All-Big 12 receiver is as raw as they come.
Dominating the college game with 4.41 speed Cannon has been described as a “one trick pony” that may never translate to the NFL.
He’s more than likely to get another opportunity, but at this rate, his next may also be his last.