Silver: New intel reveals 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk draft-day trade still very much in play (paywall)
“All I know is that as of Monday night, when I posed the question to a 49ers source with direct knowledge of the team’s plans, the words I kept hearing were “anything’s possible.”
Earlier, I spoke to another team’s general manager who insisted that, because the 49ers and Aiyuk are far apart on negotiations for a lucrative contract extension, the fifth-year receiver is “very much in play.”
During the first week of April, the 49ers — through a back-channel confidant — reached out to at least one GM to gauge his interest in trading for Aiyuk. The GM in question chose not to engage, partly because this is considered a receiver-rich draft.
There is a sense among other high-ranking personnel executives around the league that Aiyuk, as one such executive put it, “is available for the right price.” To this point, the 49ers have asked for a 2024 first-round pick. “They want too much,” said the executive, whose team is in the market for a receiver.
However, another team’s GM said he believes the 49ers ultimately might accept a second-round selection. Such a deal might become more enticing to Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan if that pick were near the start of the second round and packaged with another selection — say, a 2025 third-rounder.
Most likely, Lynch and Shanahan will have to make quick, real-time decisions as the draft is unfolding.”
Breaking down 49ers’ position-by-position draft needs for now, future
“We believe Aiyuk will remain with the team through the weekend. But there is not a round in this draft that is off-limits for the 49ers to select a wide receiver. The sweet spots for them might be with their picks in the third and fourth rounds.”
Brock Purdy, Fred Warner and an offseason of new beginnings for the 49ers (paywall)
“I could have been better,” Purdy said. “When I watch it, I’m real about it. I’ve got to truly learn from it, set the emotions and feelings aside. … Footwork, timing, eyes, concepts — there’s a lot of stuff I think I can clean up and get better at. It’s good that we have a lot of film to watch. After my rookie year, (we only had about) seven games. But now, I can actually attack those things.”
49ers expressing ‘some interest’ in Missouri DE Darius Robinson
“Over his collegiate career, he amassed 112 tackles, with 21 for a loss, 13 sacks, a pass defensed, and a forced fumble across five seasons.
“Robinson has come across incredibly well during interviews, and teams view him as a prospect who will do whatever is necessary to improve his game,” Pauline noted.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-5, 285-pound Robinson recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.95 seconds, a vertical jump of 35 inches, a broad jump of 9 feet, 3 inches, and 21 reps on the bench press.”
49ers like their front five, but could draft competition for Colton McKivitz (paywall)
“Shanahan noted the 49ers’ front five wasn’t physically overwhelmed, said the Chiefs created confusion with blitzes and suggested Purdy could have done a better job of getting the ball out quicker in the 25-22 overtime loss to Kansas City.
“I didn’t feel like we were struggling blocking them,” Shanahan said. “I think we missed a few blitz pickups. … That doesn’t always come down to O-linemen. That comes down to hot throws, things like that.”
Hutchinson: 49ers 7-Round Mock Draft: The final countdown starts with a trade
“Round 5, Pick 143: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State: This is another draft favorite of mine. He is an absolute tactician, and as well-prepared of a corner as there is in this draft, perhaps besides Kamari Lassiter of Georgia.
Green’s slight frame is a knock on him, but he was outstanding against some of the best receivers in the draft, and might start day one for you on the outside. He has enough athleticism and size to compete against anyone. He has no consistent grade. He could be a late round two selection, or available in round five. I don’t think he should be here, but it’s possible.
If it’s not him, Decamerion Richardson could be the selection here. He needs some work, but is a surprisingly good tackler with outrageous speed and length to make up for the nuances of outside corner play he needs to learn.”