The San Francisco 49ers announced on Tuesday they have signed guard Jonathan Cooper to a one-year deal.
"Having started 27 games in four NFL seasons, Jonathan brings great experience to the interior of our offensive line," said General Manager John Lynch. "We look forward to him competing for a starting job at guard, while also bringing a veteran presence to our locker room. Jonathan is a welcome addition to our team."
Cooper (6-2, 308) was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Over the past four years (2014-17), Cooper has appeared in 42 regular season games (27 starts) and two postseason contests in his time with the Cardinals (2014-15), New England Patriots (2016), Cleveland Browns (2016) and Dallas Cowboys (2017). After signing with the Cowboys on March 14, 2017, he was inactive for the first three games of the season and later started each of the team's final 13 games at left guard.
A 28-year-old native of Wilmington, NC, Cooper attended the University of North Carolina, where he started a school-record 48 games throughout his collegiate career (2009-12). A three-time All-ACC (First-Team – 2012 & Second-Team – 2010-11) and First-Team All-American (2012) selection, Cooper was named the recipient of the 2012 Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded to the best lineman in the ACC.
