News 49ers Team Notes

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers set to host a pre-draft visit with a wide receiver named Kyle Williams

Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Williams had a career year at Washington State, but would he be an upgrade at the NFL level?

The San Francisco 49ers have been fond of prospects from the Senior Bowl over the years during the John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan regime.

On Monday morning, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweeted that the 49ers will meet with Washington State wide receiver Kyle Williams this week. That name will trigger 49ers fans until the end of time. However, it’s 2025, and the personnel folks on the Niners aren’t thinking about a playoff game from over a decade ago.

It’s difficult to get a read on Williams as Washington State ran a very rinky-dink, 7-on-7 offense. This will only work in college-type offenses. It was heavy RPO, screens, slants, quick curl routes, and go routes. Mix in a few shallow crossers, and that was the extent to which you got to see Williams run routes.

Williams is small in stature compared to NFL wide receivers. His height (16th percentile), weight (24th percentile), arm length, and hand size (9th percentile) are all worrisome. Williams ran a 4.40 40-yard dash, which is in the 85th percentile, but his 10-yard split (48th percentile) and broad jump (35th percentile) suggest he needs to build up speed and isn’t overly quick or explosive.

Williams had a career year in 2024 with 70 receptions on 101 targets for 1,196 yards and 14 touchdowns. I’m always leery of prospects with one “wow” year of production.

What makes Williams’ projection so challenging is that you can watch an entire Cougars game from last year, take Utah State, for example, and he might put up production in the box score, but none of what he puts on the field is sustainable to the next level.

Williams' speed shows up once the ball is in his hands. But as a route runner, he leaves a lot to be desired. He’s more of a one-speed type of wideout that doesn’t create separation. Of course, Kyle Shanahan’s offense does most of the work for you, but I struggle to see a player who should be taken in the top 50-75 based on the transferable traits to the next level.

I’d rather Jacob Cowing get the opportunities Williams would.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/4...liams-washington-state-jacob-cowing-nfl-draft

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers Mock Draft Monday: Defense wins Championships

Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

There’s a clear focus for the 49ers in this mock draft.

There are only 10 days left until the 2025 NFL Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers are slated to pick at No. 11 overall in the first round.

So, what better time for Mock Draft Monday? Last week, I brought out my three-round mock 1.0, where there was a clear focus on the trenches.

While the priorities remained the same heading into this mock draft, the direction that I went was slightly altered, based on how the board shaped out.

This one included a defense-heavy approach (once again) and another trade.

Round 1, Pick 14: Texas A&M DE Shemar Stewart​

Last time, I executed a trade back that was offered in the second round. This time, there was an early trade-up that I couldn’t pass up on.

I moved back from No. 11 to No. 14 with the Indianapolis Colts, getting the No. 80 pick back in return. There were plenty of viable options I was considering at No. 11, with several on the defensive line, including Stewart, Walter Nolen, Mike Green, Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, James Pearce, and Derrick Harmon, among others.

That made me comfortable trading back with the Colts, who clearly wanted their top tight end on the board.

At No. 14, Green was off the board (his off-the-field concerns would’ve struck him from the options), so I went with Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart. The 6’5, 267-pound defensive lineman has some of the best traits of all-time, can be versatile, and has the potential to be a three-down player.

He has the mold of a player who can be special under defensive line coach Kris Kocurek. The elite length is a weapon off the edge. The power can hold up as a pass-rusher and a run-stopper. And the athleticism can be a disadvantage when used on the interior.

Round 2, Pick 42: Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison​

In my last mock draft, I executed a trade down here to secure another third-round pick. There, I took South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, who could very well be an option at No. 42.

This time around, I went in a different direction, targeting Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison. Now, this pick comes with a caveat, as his medicals must be a green flag for the 49ers after the cornerback missed the 2024 season with a hip injury.

But, in a regular draft, Morrison would likely go in the first round, and he fills a need on the perimeter left by Charvarius Ward. He’d join Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green to form San Francisco’s new young cornerback trio, increasing the chances of having an elite secondary.

Morrison has good size at 6’0, 193 pounds, is suited for press coverage, and good instincts at the position, which the 49ers covet. He’s the pick at No. 42.

Round 3, Pick 75: Texas DT Alfred Collins​

After addressing the defensive line in the first round, I focused on the interior here by taking Collins early in the third round.

Collins could go before this, but the depth at defensive tackle could push him back, to the 49ers benefit. He is a big defensive tackle at 6’6, 332 pounds, and can defend the run well with his great physical traits.

Additionally, he has the potential to become a three-down player with his long arms and good power, which defensive line coach Kris Kocurek can harness to his advantage.

The 49ers need to take a defensive tackle on Day 1 or Day 2. Collins fits a key need and adds another piece to the revamped defensive line for the 49ers.

Round 3, Pick 80: Texas S Andrew Mukuba​

Entering this mock draft, I did not anticipate taking a safety, given the 49ers’ needs and moves this offseason.

San Francisco still has Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown as young pieces drafted within the last two years. They signed Jason Pinnock to a one-year, fully-guaranteed, $2.2 million deal and Siran Neal to a two-year, $4 million deal worth $2.25 million guaranteed. They also have George Odum, who is entering the first year of a two-year, $7.5 million deal. And they added former second-round pick Richie Grant in free agency.

So, quite a few moves at safety this offseason, although none that were really earth-shattering.

Still, I went with a best-player-available approach here, and that led me to take Texas safety Andrew Mukuba at No. 80 with the pick I got from the Colts trade.

Standing 5’11, 186 pounds, Mukuba is a bit undersized for the position, but ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and has great instincts in the secondary. He seems like a versatile chess piece that San Francisco can move around in its defense, but needs more consistency when it comes to tackling, which has been a problem with 49ers safeties in the past.

Mukuba does have great ball skills, though, and head coach Kyle Shanahan’s Texas connection should provide great background when deeper further into the player.

Round 3, Pick 100: Tulsa LB Chris Paul Jr.​

Another mock draft, another linebacker at No. 100 in the third round. This time only, it’s Chris Paul Jr. instead of Barrett Carter.

Ultimately, I wasn’t sure that I’d be taking a linebacker either, given the other needs on the roster, but the board fell that way, leading me to Dre Greenlaw’s potential replacement: Chris Paul Jr.

At 6’1, 222 pounds, Paul has good burst paired with good instincts at the linebacker position, having a good overall foundation. That should pair well alongside a playmaker like Fred Warner, boosting Paul’s development.

Now, the 49ers struggled last year at the No. 2 linebacker spot alongside Warner, throwing a few different players in that position. Paul doesn’t have to step into that role in Year 1, but would definitely compete alongside Dee Winters as San Francisco gets younger at linebacker.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/4...wart-defense-wins-championships-kyle-shanahan

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers listed as top ‘trade up’ candidate in Round 1

Kim Klement-Imagn Images

San Francisco could be looking to jump into the Top 10 come draft day.

We’re officially nine days away from the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers currently stand at the No. 11 overall pick.

Heading into the draft, it feels like the 49ers could be a wild-card team. In a class that isn’t perceived as very top-heavy, there don’t seem to be many trade-up or trade-down candidates inside the top 10.

But, at No. 11 is where things get interesting, especially if a quarterback starts to slide down or rise up the board.

Still, it’s unclear exactly what the 49ers' intentions are just days away from the draft, be it to stay pat, trade up, or even move down the board a couple of spots. But, all avenues are realistic, and ESPN’s Field Yates made the case for why San Francisco is a prime trade-up candidate in next week’s draft.

“The 49ers made one of the most audacious recent NFL draft trades, as they moved up nine spots a month before the draft in 2021 and eventually took quarterback Trey Lance,” Yates wrote. “I don’t anticipate a move anywhere near that bold this year, but here is a scenario to consider: If Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders goes third overall to the Giants, the chain reaction would likely include the Patriots taking Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.”

Well, where would that leave the 49ers?

With two quarterbacks gone in the top four picks, as well as the top two perceived players in the draft with Carter and Hunter, that pushes other blue-chip players down the board, which could entice San Francisco.

“[Carter or Hunter going to New England] means the top two offensive tackles — LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou — could reach the eighth pick of the draft,” Yates continued.

“Should that be the case, would San Francisco — with its major offensive line need — consider leapfrogging the Bears at No. 10 to draft one of them? The 49ers have a lot of holes to fill throughout the draft, but they also have 11 picks to work with — tied for the most.”

The 49ers have been very particular about the offensive tackles they target in the NFL Draft. There’s a reason they’ve passed on early candidates before and settled for specific types in the later rounds. So, if Membou or Campbell (or both) fit the needs that San Francisco looks for, they could very well execute a trade up to nab their preferred guy ahead of linemen-needy teams like the Chicago Bears or the New Orleans Saints.

Of course, many things would have to fall into place in this scenario, the main thing being Shedeur Sanders getting taken by the New York Giants at No. 3 overall.

The Patriots have been mocked to take the first lineman in several projections by analysts. However, if an elite talent like Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter makes it to No. 4, rather than being swooped up by the Giants, New England would probably change course, moving an offensive lineman down the board.

Behind them, the Jaguars have been heavily linked to top defensive tackle Mason Graham, while the Las Vegas Raiders are currently favored to take running back Ashton Jeanty, according to sportsbooks.

Then comes the New York Jets, who could very well take an offensive tackle early, potentially leaving the other of the duo available at No. 8, where Yates suggests a trade up for the 49ers.

This would be a move that only comes to fruition on draft night if the board falls right. But, it’s notable that there’s buzz for a potential trade-up for the 49ers.

San Francisco does have ample draft capital, holding 11 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, including four in the Top 100. So, a trade-up is feasible. Will it ultimately happen, though?

We’ll find out in nine days.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/4...-2025-nfl-draft-espn-kyle-shanahan-john-lynch

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers hosting visit with potential Trent Williams successor who has one significant red flag

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Just over a week out from the 2025 NFL Draft, the 49ers are hosting Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons for a visit at their facility

Regardless of whether it’s on the offensive side or on defense, the 49ers are widely expected to focus on the trenches in the 2025 NFL Draft, and they are reportedly hosting a premier talent who could help their O-Line significantly for a top-30 visit.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the 49ers are hosting Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons for a visit.

It is an intriguing development as Simmons is a prospect who could be viewed as a long-term successor to the 49ers’ future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams.

The 49ers have made it clear they expect Williams to return for what will be his 16th year in the league — though he missed the entirety of the 2019 campaign following surgery to remove a cancerous growth — but the events of the 2024 season made it clear they must eventually start planning for his retirement.

Williams was limited to just 10 games last season owing to ankle issues.

Simmons, who gave up only one sack in his time with the Buckeyes after transferring from San Diego State after the 2022 season, would fit the bill as an heir apparent.

With experience starting on both sides, he could theoretically displace Colton McKivitz at right tackle while waiting to take over from Williams on the left side. He ticks all the boxes the 49ers look for in terms of size, length and athleticism at over 6ft 4in and 317 pounds and has the versatility to excel in zone and gap schemes as a run blocker.

The red flag with Simmons, though, is his recent injury history. Simmons saw his 2024 season ended when he tore his patellar tendon in October.

As a likely first-round pick, teams will be doing all the homework they can on Simmons’ knee injury to make sure they are comfortable with it. The 49ers, knowing that the selection of a prospect coming off a serious injury with the 11th overall pick would attract criticism from some, are clearly doing their due diligence by getting him in the building.

If they are satisfied with what they learn from his visit, then Simmons could very well be in play as the 49ers’ left tackle of the future.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/4...t-williams-successor-one-significant-red-flag

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers OL suspended 6 games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Isaac Alarcon has not appeared in a regular season game and is unlikely to make the 49ers' 53-man roster.

According to the NFL’s transaction wire, San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Isaac Alacron will be suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2025 regular season for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy.

Alarcon can still participate in offseason activities like OTAS, training camp, and even preseason games, but his suspension begins once the regular season starts. Alarcon is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.

It’s hardly a hit to the 49ers' depth chart, as they enter the offseason with Trent Williams, Colton McKivitz, Sebastian Gutierrez, Austen Pleasants, and Jalen McKenzie at tackle on the roster. Kyle Shanahan and the Niners could very well cut Alarcon to get another body in the building, and they believe they would have an opportunity to earn a roster spot on the final 53-man roster.

Alarcon played 31 snaps in the first preseason game last year, but only 15 in Week 2 and 24 in Week 3. He’d appeared in each preseason game since 2022, but has not taken a regular-season snap with the 49ers.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/4...colton-mckivitiz-kyle-shanahan-trent-williams

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

49ers draft scenario: 3 realistic trade up options in the 1st round

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

If the 49ers are interested in moving up in the NFL Draft, it’ll be for these prospects

We’ve examined the scenarios of the San Francisco 49ers picking at 11 and trading back, depending on how the board falls.

It only makes sense that the next scenario we explore is the most fun: the idea of the 49ers trading up in next week’s draft.

Two slots make sense for John Lynch, depending on whether Lynch and the 49ers want to take a swing at one of the two top prospects in this draft or if they want to ensure they get one of the top players at a position of need.

With Cam Ward proclaiming Treylon Burks a top-four wide receiver in the league this week, I think it’s safe to say it’s a certainty the Titans make him the first overall selection. That allows Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter to drop to the third pick. That might be enough to get Lynch to pick up the phone and see what it would take to move up and swap with the Giants to get the player that falls to three.

With Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen’s seats on fire, it would make sense for the Giants to select a quarterback, but after Ward, no quarterbacks in this draft scream top-three pick. Maybe the Giants fall back to 11 to not only get either Jaxson Dart or Shedeur Sanders (if we want to get weird, perhaps even Tyler Shough) while collecting a future first-round pick as a preservation attempt for Daboll and Schoen.

In this hypothetical, the best-case scenario for the 49ers is that Cleveland goes with the two-way star Hunter, allowing San Francisco to nab Carter and finally find a long-term solution across Nick Bosa. Carter turned plenty of heads with his 2024 performance at Penn State, finishing with 12.5 sacks, 66 pressures, and 23.5 tackles for loss. His impact in both the pass and run game would greatly help a 49ers defense that struggled and is looking for a reinvigoration under Robert Saleh.

If Cleveland decides to pair Carter with their all–pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett, Hunter would not be a bad consolation, especially for Kyle Shanahan. While he won a Heisman because of his two-way play, there are questions about whether Hunter can do the same at the NFL level. Everything about Hunter screams top-level cornerback: his length, ball skills, and athleticism, to name a few. Not only would he shore up a 49ers cornerback room that already includes Deommore Lenoir and Renardo Green, but Hunter would offer Shanahan a unique and potentially elite weapon to use, even if it’s for just 15-20 snaps per game.

If San Francisco doesn’t want to lose future picks to move up to three, the next potential move-up spot would be with Carolina at eight. The Panthers have more than one need, and with Carolina scheduled to make nine picks, they could be in the market to move back a few picks to gain more picks.

However, the only way a small move up like this makes sense for the 49ers is if a top player at a position of need is still available when the Panthers are on the clock. That list would likely include Mason Graham, Will Campbell, or Armand Membou.

Jalon Walker could also be a fascinating move-up target. While there are concerns about Walker’s size, his versatility and upside are intriguing enough that he’s expected to be among the first ten selected. His versatility alone could prove to be beneficial in Saleh’s defense if he pans out.

There’s always a risk involved when trading up (see the 49ers 2021 draft), but given the right player, a move-up might be a necessary risk for a 49ers team needing to find an impact player or two in the draft.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/4/17/24410294/49ers-armand-membou-will-campbell-mason-graham

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

Golden Nuggets: Can we get this Brock extension over with already

Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Friday, April 18th, 2025

Insider: Brock Purdy unlikely to accept 49ers’ latest contract offer

““According to Barrows, the following players met with the 49ers in Santa Clara:

• OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
• OT Anthony Belton, N.C. State
• OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
• OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
• OL Jonah Monheim, USC
• DT Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
• DE Elijah Roberts, SMU
• DE David Walker, Central Arkansas”

49ers’ pre-draft visit list: Team appears poised to take a tackle in Round 2 (paywall)

“Teams can bring in as many as 30 prospects, and Wednesday was the final day they could visit. The names below are the ones I was able to confirm by sources with knowledge of the visit or by a player’s social media account. I was not able to verify visits by Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, which were reported by other outlets. Three other names listed elsewhere, but not here, did not end up visiting.”

With Brock Purdy, the 49ers don’t need to draft a QB. Here’s why they should (paywall)

“Not long after Lance left NDSU, Miller became the starter at the FCS school that has produced three QBs who were NFL draft picks since 2016. A four-year starter, Miller will likely be a late-round selection after he led the Bison to two national championships and finished second last year in voting for the Walter Payton Award, given to the FCS’ top offensive player. Miller completed 72.6% of his passes and threw for 52 touchdowns with eight interceptions in his final two seasons.

Miller shares qualities with Purdy. He’s known for his accuracy, anticipation and elusiveness — and he doesn’t have ideal size (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) or impressive arm strength. Miller made 56 college starts — Purdy had 46 — but against lesser competition. Lance, now on the Chargers, his third NFL team, has struggled to make the leap from FCS to the NFL.”

49ers sign veterans Tonges, Pleasants to one-year contracts

“San Francisco tendered Pleasants for the upcoming 2025 season with a non-guaranteed contract of $960,000.

Tonges joined the 49ers’ practice squad in 2023. He appeared in 16 games last season. Tonges saw limited time as a reserve tight end. He was also one of the team’s core special-teams players.”

49ers hosted Western Kentucky CB Upton Stout on pre-draft visit

“An undersized cornerback who spent much of his time playing wide corner, Stout has the twitch and athleticism to project inside,” wrote NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein in his draft profile. “What he lacks in length he makes up for with his competitiveness. He’s a natural pattern reader with the hips and feet to match breaks without giving up much separation.”

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/4...-draft-visit-offensive-tackles-defensive-ends

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

NFL analyst makes the case for the 49ers to take a defensive tackle projected to go in Round 2

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Niners are in need of a defensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The San Francisco 49ers are less than a week away from the 2025 NFL Draft as they wrap up their Top-30 visits, bringing in players at several positions of need.

Among the group was Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander, who has risen up boards during the pre-draft process thanks to a strong athletic showing at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.

Alexander was one of several defensive tackles to come to San Francisco on a top-30 visit, joining Ole Miss’s Walter Nolen, Tennessee’s Omar Norman-Lott, Virginia Tech’s Aeneas Peebles, and Ohio State’s Tyliek Williams.

Currently, Alexander is seen as a Day 2 pick by multiple draft pundits, including NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein, who pointed out the defensive tackle’s sneaky pass-rush ability.

“Interior lineman with the size, length and physicality for consideration in odd or even fronts,” Zierlein wrote bout the Toledo product. “Alexander is capable of destroying blocks, but he needs to do a better job of balancing his force to control the action at the point of attack. He can hold his ground when he’s staying low, but the pad level is inconsistent and causes his gap constriction to be hit-or-miss.

“Alexander has above-average rush acumen. He does a nice job of utilizing his traits and crafting a plan of attack. His best football could be ahead of him, but for now, he projects as an average rotational player or backup.”

On Thursday, one week out from the draft, NFL analyst Brian Baldinger joined 95.7 The Game to make the case for the 49ers selecting Alexander next week.

“Darius Alexander caught my eye at the Senior Bowl this year like he did a lot of guys, including [49ers general manager] John Lynch, who was watching him every day in the pits,” Baldinger said. “6’4, 305, played for Toledo. A four-year player for Toledo. But what jumps out, and what I saw at the Senior Bowl was fast twitch. He can explode. He gets off blocks quickly. He uses his length to stack and shed, and that’s what you wanted to see.

“Coming from Toledo at the Mid-America Conference, you want to see him play up and look like he belonged. Well, that’s what we saw at the Senior Bowl. That’s what you saw when he played Pitt this year, when he played Mississippi State. He looks like an SEC defensive lineman. It’s a great draft—a deep draft—for defensive line. Darius Alexander, let’s consider him.”

The 49ers have several options at the top of the draft, but defensive line, specifically defensive tackle, is a priority for San Francisco after releasing Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins this offseason.

San Francisco could target Alexander in Round 2 or Round 3 to add to their defensive line, potentially even pairing him up with another draftee at the position in a deep class.

They’ve been well-connected to him throughout the pre-draft process, seeing him up close at the Senior Bowl before hosting him on the Top-30 visit this month. He could very well be in consideration next week.

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/4...l-draft-toledo-dt-darius-alexander-strong-fit

 

[San Francisco 49ers]

How open do you see the 49ers’ Super Bowl window?

Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images

With so many losses and a quarterback contract imminent, do you see that window nearly shut, or on the cusp of swinging wide open once more?

The San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl window isn’t shut—but you can get your hand on the glass. This team is going to look very different in 2025. Roster turnover? Expected. This much? Maybe not. Few saw the level of attrition coming this offseason, and it’s clear the 49ers are pivoting toward youth, something they began with the 2024 draft and are continuing with the 2025 NFL Draft.

Has their Super Bowl window closed? Not according to Zoltán Buday at Pro Football Focus, who ranked San Francisco No. 7 in his “Super Bowl Window” rankings. Pretty generous, considering they finished last in the NFC West and watched a string of key veterans exit. The Los Angeles Rams—you know, the team that seems to dodge cap gravity like it’s a hobby—are right behind them at No. 8. So, at least within the division, the 49ers are still in the mix.

Here’s what Buday had to say on the ranking:

Some might argue that San Francisco’s Super Bowl window was abruptly shut in 2024 when the 49ers finished last in their division and missed the playoffs. Brock Purdy’s expected contract extension could also make things more difficult for the franchise when it comes to building the roster.

While that almost certainly will impact the 49ers’ long-term chances, the current roster could still compete for a Super Bowl in 2025. Although left tackle Trent Williams, tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey could all be considered older at their positions, when healthy, they are still among the best in the NFL.

Compete? Yes. Win it? Who knows, but I’m not putting money on it. The 49ers had a quiet and underwhelming free agency period due to all the dead money accumulated over the years. They are in a good spot to maybe win the NFC West, but the more you look at it, the more this year is going to be them working/developing the rookies and getting the younger guys, at large, ready to go and make a run in 2026.

Sure they have Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, and Brandon Aiyuk along with Christian McCaffrey as weapons for Brock Purdy (provided they can get the deal done), but they also have those weapons playing alongside an offensive line that has Trent Williams Dominick Puni and not much else besides George Kittle being a master of everything.

They have Robert Saleh back as defensive coordinator, but just the addition of Saleh doesn’t solve the pass-rush problem. Or the second-level void left by Greenlaw. Or the fact that this team is going to rely heavily on rookies to play key roles, on both sides of the ball.

The 49ers will start moving to a young team, and a team like that will need experience. There might be a lot more rookies playing this year than last, and with that comes lots of screwing up (good).

If the 49ers are in contention for 2025, it’s a massive win for Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch and likely means the window was pushed wide open for 2026.

How open do you see the 49ers' Super Bowl window?

Source: https://www.ninersnation.com/2025/4/19/24411566/49ers-roster-draft-rumors-rookies-super-bowl-window