Ross Dwelley (born January 26, 1995) is an American professional football tight end who played college football for the San Diego Toreros and signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
Ross Dwelley Bio
Ross Dwelley has built a steady NFL career as a versatile tight end, contributing primarily as a depth player and special teams contributor for multiple franchises. Known for reliable hands and positional flexibility, Dwelley has appeared in over 60 NFL games across seven seasons with four different teams.
Early Life and Background
Ross Dwelley was born in Sonora, California, on January 26, 1995. He attended Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, California, where he excelled in both baseball and football. Originally a quarterback during his first two seasons of high school football, Dwelley chose not to play football during his junior year to concentrate on baseball.
Oak Ridge High School’s football coach convinced Dwelley to return for his senior season. Dwelley transitioned from quarterback to tight end and posted an impressive final year, making 43 catches for 568 receiving yards and five touchdowns. His standout performance earned him the team’s offensive MVP honor.
Path to American Football
After graduating from Oak Ridge High School, Dwelley continued his football career at the University of San Diego. He redshirted his freshman season before becoming a key contributor for the Toreros over the following four seasons. Dwelley appeared in 47 games, starting 44 of them, and established himself as one of the most productive tight ends in the Football Championship Subdivision.
During his collegiate career, Dwelley totaled 197 receptions for 2,305 yards and 26 touchdowns. His consistency and reliability as a receiving threat stood out, particularly during his senior season when he led all FCS tight ends with 10 touchdown receptions despite missing two games due to injury. He earned third-team FCS All-American honors and first-team All-Pioneer Football League recognition in 2017. Earlier in his career, Dwelley earned second-team All-PFL honors in 2014, 2015, and 2016. He graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in industrial and systems engineering.
Ross Dwelley Career
San Francisco 49ers (2018–2023)
Dwelley signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on April 30, 2018. He was initially waived at the end of training camp and subsequently signed to the team’s practice squad. The 49ers promoted Dwelley from the practice squad to the active roster on October 15, 2018. He made his NFL debut that same night in a 30–33 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. Three weeks later, he recorded his first NFL reception, an eight-yard catch, in a 34–3 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Dwelley finished his rookie season with two catches for 14 yards in 11 games and no starts.
In 2019, Dwelley earned his first NFL start during a Week 6 20–7 road victory over the Los Angeles Rams, playing fullback following an injury to starter Kyle Juszczyk. During a Week 11 36–26 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, Dwelley scored his first NFL touchdowns on a four-yard reception and a five-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo. He finished his second professional season with 15 receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games and six starts. The 49ers reached Super Bowl LIV that year, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 31–20.
Dwelley re-signed with the 49ers on March 24, 2020, on a one-year contract worth $660,000. He finished the season with 19 receptions for 245 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and nine starts. On March 5, 2021, Dwelley signed another one-year extension with the team, recording four receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown in 17 games and two starts. He re-signed with the 49ers again on March 29, 2022. During a Week 8 31–14 road victory over the Rams, he recorded a career-long 56-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Dwelley finished the 2022 season with three receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown in 12 games and no starts. He returned for the 2023 season after re-signing with the 49ers on March 20, 2023.
Atlanta Falcons (2024)
On May 13, 2024, Dwelley signed with the Atlanta Falcons, joining a new organization for the first time in his career. He competed for a roster spot as a depth tight end and special teams contributor during training camp and the preseason.
Return to San Francisco and Beyond (2025)
Dwelley returned to the San Francisco 49ers on May 2, 2025, signing a one-year contract. He was released by the 49ers on August 15 during final roster cuts. On September 16, 2025, Dwelley joined the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. He was promoted to the Lions’ active roster on September 24. In 11 appearances with one start for Detroit, Dwelley recorded two receptions for seven yards. The Lions released him on December 9. Dwelley finished the 2025 season by signing with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad on December 30.
Driving Style and Strengths
Dwelley has developed a reputation as a reliable, consistent performer at the tight end position. His collegiate production at San Diego demonstrated his ability to create mismatches in the passing game, particularly near the red zone where he scored 26 touchdowns over four seasons. His size at 6 feet 5 inches and 235 pounds provides a solid frame for contested catches and short-yardage situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Dwelley’s career highlights include scoring two touchdowns in a single game during his second NFL season against the Arizona Cardinals, contributing to a 49ers team that reached Super Bowl LIV, and recording a 56-yard reception against the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. His journey from undrafted free agent to seven-year NFL veteran reflects his persistence and ability to earn roster spots through special teams value and positional versatility.
Ross Dwelley Career Statistics
Dwelley has established himself as a reliable depth tight end throughout his NFL career, accumulating consistent production across multiple seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. His regular-season statistics reflect his role as a complementary receiving option and red-zone threat.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Dwelley has recorded 45 receptions for 523 yards and 5 touchdowns in regular-season play. His best statistical season came in 2020 when he recorded 19 receptions for 245 yards and a touchdown while serving as a frequent starter. His career-high for receiving yards in a single game came in 2022 with a 56-yard reception against the Los Angeles Rams.
College Career Statistics
Dwelley’s productive college career at San Diego saw him total 197 receptions for 2,305 yards and 26 touchdowns across 47 games. His senior season was particularly impressive, as he led all FCS tight ends with 10 touchdown receptions while appearing in 12 games.
Ross Dwelley Family
Family Background and Education
Dwelley’s academic achievements stand out alongside his athletic accomplishments. He graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in industrial and systems engineering, demonstrating dedication to his education beyond football. This combination of athletic ability and academic rigor helped him transition successfully from the FCS level to the NFL.
Personal Life
While Dwelley maintains a public profile through his professional career, detailed personal life information remains private. He continues to engage with fans through social media platforms while focusing on his career in professional football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a period of transition for Dwelley as he navigated multiple team affiliations throughout the year. After a brief return to the San Francisco 49ers organization during the offseason, he was released during final roster cuts and subsequently joined the Detroit Lions’ practice squad in September. He earned a promotion to the Lions’ active roster but appeared in limited action, recording two receptions for seven yards in 11 appearances with one start.
The Lions released Dwelley in December, and he finished the season with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad after signing there on December 30. Despite the roster changes, Dwelley demonstrated his ability to remain in the league as a depth player and special teams contributor. His career trajectory reflects the competitive nature of NFL roster construction, where veteran players frequently move between organizations throughout a season.
Dwelley’s value as a reliable receiver with special teams experience provides him opportunities to compete for roster spots in future seasons. His collegiate production, combined with his demonstrated ability to contribute in various offensive roles, positions him as a viable option for teams seeking depth at the tight end position.