Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The San Francisco 49ers held their first of two rookie minicamp practices Friday with the second coming on Saturday. Friday's 1:00 p.m. practice was open to the media (Saturday's is not). It was the debut for the 49ers' 2018 draft class, who got to put on their NFL jerseys and helmets for the first time.
Also participating were 33 tryout players as well as some players with one year of NFL experience like quarterback Nick Mullens and offensive lineman Andrew Lauderdale.
You can watch a short clip of first-round draft pick Mike McGlinchey's practice debut below, courtesy of Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that wide receiver Richie James, who the 49ers selected in the seventh round, stood out among the rookies. He caught three passes during 7-on-7 drills and another during 11-on-11 drills. Maiocco also reports that McGlinchey had a nice first practice after a rough start during 1-on-1 pass rushing drills against tryout defensive end Patrick Choudja.
"At one point early in practice, a defender ripped his helmet off at the top of his route," wrote Chris Biderman of Niners Wire, "but James continued his rep and made the catch on an in-cutting pattern, where he figures to get plenty of work as one of the team's many slot receivers."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports that defensive back Tarvarius Moore, who is converting from safety to cornerback, was more of an observer during Friday's practice.
Biderman says linebacker Fred Warner got reps at both inside linebacker positions.
At 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds, Warner isn't the prototypical inside linebacker. Inman believes he looks more like a player that belongs on the outside.
"This is a passing league now," Warner said via Bay Area News Group. "Teams are passing the ball about 65 percent of the time, and you need linebackers who can move and cover, and that's why I feel I fit perfect in what we're doing."
Inman felt second-round draft pick Dante Pettis looked "superb" during the practice session.
With rookies Pettis and D.J. Reed, the 49ers have last year's top two returners in college football on their roster. The latter confirmed Friday that he would play both slot cornerback and free safety during the 49ers' offseason program. He got reps at free safety and as a punt returner during Friday's practice.
As for Pettis, he is hoping to showcase his receiving skills.
"I kind of view myself as a receiver and not really a punt returner," Pettis said via Bay Area News Group. "Everything I aim for is receiver-wise and not really punt returner."
Cornerback Tarvarus McFadden was one of the most significant undrafted free agent signings by the 49ers. The Florida State product had his options of NFL teams (the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers were among those interested), but the presence of Richard Sherman convinced him to sign a reported $90,000 deal with San Francisco. The 49ers were also the only team that hosted him on a pre-draft visit, which also helped in the decision process.
"McFadden was by far the most aggressive cornerback in bump-and-run coverage," writes Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat. "On one play, he jammed wide receiver Javon Williams five yards into the backfield. McFadden was the starting left cornerback for the first-team defense during team drills."
Check out the following video courtesy of the Mercury News of today's practice and interviews.
Hard-working 49ers rookie Ji'Ayir Brown continues to impress Fred Warner
By David Bonilla
Dec 7
No longer limited to a special teams role, Ji'Ayir Brown's workload has increased since stepping into the starting lineup for injured safety Talanoa Hufanga on November 19. Making the most of his playing time against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brown secured an interception and broke up three passes.
Later, it was revealed that Hufanga would miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL. Brown would remain in the lineup.
Since then, the rookie safety has played 100 percent of the defensive snaps, totaling 56 and 72 snaps in the last two games. Pro Football Focus ranks Brown as the second-highest graded rookie safety and the fourth-highest graded rookie defensive back.
Despite being a rookie, Brown carries himself like a seasoned veteran,
49ers vs. Seahawks: Brock Purdy gears up for familiar foe, acknowledges room for growth
By David Bonilla
Dec 7
Brock Purdy is gearing up to lead his San Francisco 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks for the second time in three games. This time, the Niners will play host, with Sunday's NFC West clash taking place at Levi's Stadium.
Purdy has faced Seattle more than any other opponent in his NFL career, creating a familiarity with the division rival. Despite never losing to the Seahawks, the second-year quarterback emphasizes that he won't take any opponent for granted.
"They got good players, some really good dudes that have a lot of experience and stuff, obviously with [LB] Bobby Wagner and then [DB Quandre] Diggs in the secondary, some boys that are playing corner that have got some experience now under their belts," Purdy told reporters after Thursday's
Kyle Shanahan provides injury updates on Arik Armstead, Spencer Burford, Elijah Mitchell ahead of 49ers-Seahawks
By David Bonilla
Dec 7
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided injury updates during his weekly interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR, shedding light on the statuses of some ailing players ahead of the team's Week 14 showdown against the Seattle Seahawks.
Arik Armstead has yet to hit the practice field this week as he deals with foot and knee issues. On Wednesday, Shanahan said he would be surprised to see his veteran defensive tackle on the field this weekend. A day later, nothing has changed.
"Armstead's still looking like a long shot," Shanahan said on the "Tolbert and Copes" show. "Haven't ruled him out yet, officially, but I'll talk to the doctors. But I
49ers' Christian McCaffrey offers scouting report on younger brother
By David Bonilla
Dec 7
Maybe the San Francisco 49ers will be in the market to draft another wide receiver soon. Suppose the front office seeks the opinion of running back Christian McCaffrey. In that case, he will likely be vocal in his recommendation—a certain Rice wideout named Luke McCaffrey, who happens to be his younger brother.
"I would love to play with him one day," the older McCaffrey told reporters in the 49ers' locker room after Thursday's practice. "That would be the coolest thing ever. So I'm excited for him and his journey, and he's only going to get better."
Luke, listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, recorded 68 receptions for 963 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, averaging 14.2 yards per catch.
"Yeah, I've watched every snap of every game," Christian
