Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
49ers WR Deebo Samuel teases ‘big news’ in NFL UK social media post
“The release of the 2024 NFL schedule is anticipated soon. However, it’s already known that the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Jacksonville Jaguars will host international games in London. The Vikings are the only team the 49ers are scheduled to face on the road. Minnesota will host its game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.”
Hutchinson: 49ers Mailbag: Who makes the roster cut, and how much will Purdy get paid
“The 49ers look, to me, just as imposing as they did last season, but a year older, which knocks them a bit. I think the only areas of concern I have for them are linebacker, defensive tackle, tight end, and offensive tackle.
If they lose Kittle, there’s not a single player they can feel good about, unless they just spread it out and lean on Jauan Jennings. Either Kalia Davis or undrafted rookie Evan Anderson need to step up as a gap-plugger in the run game for the 49ers to feel good at defensive tackle. Linebacker without Dre Greenlaw is innately concerning because you don’t know what version of De’Vondre Campbell you’ll get, or what any of the young backers can provide, and Greenlaw’s an absolute stud.
At offensive tackle, they are betting a ton on Jaylon Moore, and maybe Brandon Parker there. They did not improve at that position.
Everywhere else, they are better. Sam Darnold might have been a better backup quarterback, but Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen (and maybe Tanner Mordecai) is a good enough pairing. They invested there.
At running back, they’re better with Guerendo and Schrader. Wide receiver is much better. Interior offensive line is much improved.
Defensive end has a lower ceiling with Yetur Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd, but they’re more sound, reliable players than Randy Gregory and Chase Young. Losing Clelin Ferrell could hurt.
At corner and safety, they are much improved. Losing Tashuan Gipson Sr.’s leadership could hurt, but Malik Mustapha is a stud, and Talanoa Hufanga is returning.
Oh, and special teams. They have acquired the personnel for a genuinely elite special teams unit, an area they’ve traditionally been somewhere in the range of bad to mid. With new kickoff rules, do not dismiss that upgrade.”
Branch: 49ers mailbag: What has bulked-up Brock Purdy been trying to accomplish in offseason? (paywall)
“Purdy has discussed increasing his arm strength, which, it’s worth noting, hasn’t been the liability many expected when he entered the NFL. However, he has spent more time talking about his desire to become more shifty and slippery. In February, he mentioned “being able to move better” and becoming more “elusive in how I move.” Last month, he mentioned being “able to run (and) make plays.”
Report: NFL teams believe 49ers’ Aiyuk asking price was first-round pick
“Multiple teams told Fowler they had interest in Aiyuk but believed San Francisco wanted a first-round pick for him, adding that one team compared the situation to the A.J. Brown deal that sent him from the Tennessee Titans to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 draft.
The 49ers discussed Samuel with teams on Day 2 of the draft, Fowler reported, but a source told him two hours before the second round that San Francisco “isn’t moving him.”
Florida coach believes Pearsall’s work ethic fueled by 2023 slight
““Play strength was one of the things that was mentioned by a few of the general managers and scouts that we had conversations with,” Florida head coach Billy Napier said on a call with Bay Area media.
“And I think he took that personally. He needed to show physicality and play strength. Ultimately, he built his offseason program that way, and he went to work on that.”
49ers projected to receive two more compensatory 2025 draft picks
“In addition to the picks projected to be awarded for Darnold and Woerner’s departure, San Francisco also is guaranteed a compensatory third-round selection for DeMeco Ryans departure to become the Houston Texans head coach.
If Over the Cap’s projections come to fruition, the 49ers will have nine selections in the 2025 draft, with the Darnold compensatory selection effectively replacing the fifth-round pick the NFL forced San Francisco to surrender due to an accounting error.”
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