Thomas Clayton

Clayton, who was the 49ers' sixth-round draft pick in 2007, faces an uphill climb to make the Patriots' final roster, with the team having brought back all its running backs from 2009.

Clayton will face an uphill battle to just make the team's 53-man roster.

Clayton is unlikely to make the team in 2008 and will likely be demoted to the practice squad after training camp, as he was in 2007.

The 49ers selected Clayton in the sixth round, as a suspension for the season opener last year and being inactive for the last half of the season after clashing with his coach at Kansas State, caused him to drop, Clayton had a solid OTA and is viewed by coach Mike Nolan as more of a first and second down back rather than a third down back, which is how he was pegged before the draft. So if you like a handcuff strategy, Clayton could be next in line if Frank Gore gets hurt, though for now, he will compete for a roster spot as a reserve back.