Alex Smith and the deep ball: ‘It’s a fine line’

While most expect the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive lineman with their first-round pick, NFL Media lead draft writer Eric Edholm has the team going in another direction with the No. 31 overall pick. In his final mock draft of the year, Edholm has the team selecting former Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, who also goes by "Johnny." "If you're worried Newton's skill set overlaps too much with that of Javon Hargrave, consider that Hargrave is set to hit the salary cap at more than $28 million in the 2025 season -- when he'll be 32 years old," Edholm explained. "As a relentless scheme-wrecker, Newton would help alleviate the

The San Francisco 49ers made a surprising move with the No. 31 overall pick, marking their first Round 1 selection since 2021. While speculation swirled around the possibility of drafting a wide receiver, few anticipated the choice of Ricky Pearsall from Florida. Leading up to the pick, there was widespread speculation that the 49ers might trade wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. As the first round progressed, it appeared that neither would be moved. Pearsall's selection reignited such discussions. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to Bay Area radio station KNBR following the completion of the first round, fielding questions about the implications of Pearsall's selection for the team's veteran wideouts. "Well,

NFL Communications has officially announced the "NFL legends and active players" who will announce selections during Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Representing the San Francisco 49ers will be former defensive tackle Anthony "Spice" Adams, who spent four seasons with the team and nine in the NFL. San Francisco selected Adams out of Penn State in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft. The NFL's full announcement is below. In the NFL's continuous effort to connect the game's greats with the next generation of stars, NFL Legends and active players will add to the excitement of the 2024 NFL Draft by announcing various selections and participating in festivities in Detroit. Pro Football Hall of Famers Isaac

Brandon Aiyuk isn't the only San Francisco 49ers player being mentioned in trade chatter around the NFL. According to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, several teams are also reaching out to inquire about the availability of wide receiver Deebo Samuel. "In the course of trade conversations about Brandon Aiyuk, numerous teams are inquiring about fellow 49ers WR Deebo Samuel's availability," Silver reports. "The 49ers would likely have to be blown away by the offer to make that move. Fluid situation, though." In the course of trade conversations about Brandon Aiyuk, numerous teams are inquiring about fellow