49ers mock draft: A disruptive pass rusher, two big receivers and a young CMC (paywall)
“The good news: The draft is teeming with receivers and defensive linemen this year, especially from the end of Round 1 to Round 4. Cornerback, safety, linebacker and tight end also have good depth.
The bad news: Once again, there’s a dearth of offensive tackles after the first few. There also don’t seem to be many top-end quarterbacks — which might make Mac Jones’ trade market more interesting — and running back looks particularly bleak, too…..
…..According to Pro Football Focus, [DE Akheem Mesidor, Miami] had a pass-rush win rate of 21.2 percent. To put that in perspective, Bain’s was 22.9 percent.
So how does a guy with numbers like that slip to No. 27? Mesidor might not have elite length — his height and arm length will be scrutinized at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine — and he’ll also turn 25 three weeks before the draft. That means he’s more than three years older than the 49ers’ first-round pick last year, Mykel Williams….Round 4: DT Chris McClellan, Missouri. McClellan doesn’t get pushed around. He measured 6 feet 3 and 315 pounds with 34-inch arms and nearly 11-inch hands, the largest at this year’s Senior Bowl. He’s always been a good run stopper, and in 2025, he added six sacks and 21 quarterback pressures to his resume. A line composed of Nick Bosa, McClellan, Alfred Collins and Williams would be hard to run against.
G Jaeden Roberts, Alabama: With Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch scheduled to be free agents, the 49ers might need to find a new left guard. Roberts is massive — 6-5, 335 with an 83-inch wingspan. (By comparison, former 49ers left guard Aaron Banks’ wingspan was just under 81 inches.) Roberts moves well for his size and gets excellent push on inside runs. The 49ers used to run behind the big-bodied Banks in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Roberts could have similar value. One caveat: His starts at Alabama came primarily at right guard.”
Analyzing 49ers’ franchise tag outlook as important 2026 NFL offseason begins
“And around the league, there do not appear to be many answers for the 49ers among the players who are under consideration for the tag from their respective teams.
One of the 49ers’ most glaring needs is at wide receiver — especially if Jennings is not re-signed.
There is a strong chance the Dallas Cowboys tag wide receiver George Pickens, who is probably not a good fit for the 49ers anyway. Pickens had 1,429 yards receiving last season.
The 49ers demand that their receivers get involved in the run game. Pittsburgh traded Pickens to Dallas a year ago after a season amid criticism of his effort as a blocker.
And it seems highly unlikely free-agent-to-be Deebo Samuel and the 49ers get back together just one season after both sides agreed that their union had run its course.
Samuel, 30, is clearly on the downward slope. He caught 72 passes for 727 yards (a career-low 10.1 yards per reception) last season with Washington.
He is scheduled for free agency. Despite the Commanders having plenty of cap space, Samuel does not appear to be worth $28 million a year at this stage of his career.“
Kawakami Mailbag: The Kerr-Lacob-Dunleavy triangle, Curry’s future, 49ers blame, and more (paywall)
“I’d say the fastest way the 49ers can push themselves into true Super Bowl contention next season would be to acquire a game-breaking wide receiver — to match Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Rams’ Puka Nacua. I just don’t see the 49ers making a big leap with the WRs they’ve got (and they might lose Jauan Jennings to free agency, too).”
Insider: If the 49ers move practice facility, it won’t be for the reason you think
“They could use more room,” Kawakami noted. “The football office building is very old and cramped. I could see them eventually moving the football offices and fields to another, nearby location — not because of the substation, but because everything changes and gets updated eventually….”
“If the 49ers are the top bidder and right fit, they’ll get the free agent,” Kawakami wrote. “The 49ers have been practicing next to this substation for decades. The players are fully aware of it. The buzzing is unmistakable. They joke about it, but do you think a single player has made a career decision based on the substation’s placement? No.”
49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk to Commanders? Jayden Daniels open to reunion
“There’s a couple of individuals that are out there,” Daniels said. “Maybe somebody from Arizona State, in my past.”
When asked whether that player resides on the West Coast, Daniels replied, “Yeah.”