ESPN NFL

The San Francisco 49ers have added another hybrid-type player to their defense, reaching agreement with Mark Washington, a former Texas State-San Marcos standout who was not selected in last week's NFL supplemental draft.

Washington will sign a two-year contract for league minimum base salaries of $285,000 in 2007 and $370,000 in 2008, and the 49ers hope he can develop some of the pass-rush ability that he flashed at times during his abbreviated college career.

A defensive lineman at Texas State in 2006, and perhaps miscast at tackle, Washington was projected by most scouts as a linebacker at the NFL level, and, because of his diverse skills, thought to be best suited for a team that employs a 3-4 front. San Francisco converted full-time to a 3-4 defense in 2006.

Washington, 22, was a long shot to be chosen in the supplemental draft, but, because he had played defensive end, defensive tackle and linebacker, was expected to generate interest as a free agent. Of the teams that pursued him after Thursday's draft, in which only two players were selected, San Francisco offered the best opportunity.

He began his college career at Arizona State and saw action in eight games there as a true freshman in 2005. But after taking two seasons off to concentrate on academics, Washington transferred to Texas State and was moved to end. He was subsequently switched to tackle, a position for which he was undersized, for the 2006 season.

In 11 games, Washington registered 29 tackles, 3 ½ sacks and three quarterback pressures, but he was often overwhelmed at the point of attack. At 6-feet-2, 250 pounds, Washington possesses good linebacker size and quickness, and has demonstrated the ability to come off the edge and chase the quarterback.

San Francisco registered 34 sacks in 2006, slightly below the NFL average, and ranked 26th in pass defense. The 49ers' leading sacker was linebacker Brandon Moore, with 6 ½, and fellow linebacker Roderick Green notched 4 ½ sacks. But the 49ers need to create more outside pressure and, toward that end, signed former New England part-time starter Tully Banta-Cain as an unrestricted free agent.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.