While the roster is not yet perfect, the San Francisco 49ers have a lot more depth than they did a year ago. Last season, the team could sign a player during the week and might see him starting on Sunday. Barring injuries, you probably won't see too much of that this season.
General Manager John Lynch expects three of last year's rookies to make a big leap during their sophomore NFL seasons. They are safety Adrian Colbert, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, and linebacker Reuben Foster. Each is expected to start in year two.
Lynch discussed his second-year players with team reporter Joe Fann at the start of Thursday's joint practice with the Houston Texans.
"The great thing for those guys is they all had an opportunity, probably more of an opportunity last year, of making our team," the general manager said. "This year, there's more competition. The new rookie class is going to push them but those guys are up to the task. They're the right kind of guys. We love that. Competition brings out the best in everybody."
Colbert appeared in 14 games with six starts for the 49ers last season. He registered 37 combined tackles, five passes defensed, and forced two fumbles during his rookie campaign.
"[Colbert] came in last year as a special teams player," Lynch said. "And then injuries gave him the opportunity on defense and he shined in that free safety — the eraser — role, and he did it so well. We think he'll take the next step. He's a smart player. He prepares the right way."
The benching of Rashard Robinson last year thrust Witherspoon into a starting role at outside cornerback during a Week 8 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers must have had a lot of confidence in their rookie cornerback at the time because Robinson was traded to the New York Jets two days later.
Witherspoon finished his rookie season with 12 game appearances and nine starts while registering 32 combined tackles, seven passes defensed, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.
"Ahkello Witherspoon, I think, has had a tremendous offseason," Lynch said. "He struggled a little bit early in camp. Probably thinking too much about taking that next step instead of just [...] trusting his training. He's really fallen back into the fundamentals and, I think, really starting to excel. I think he'll have a tremendous season."
Lynch says Rueben Foster is Reuben Foster. Big things are expected out of the second-year linebacker — as long as he can stay healthy. Injuries limited Foster to 10 games last season, but he was still credited with 72 combined tackles and a pass defensed during that time.
Foster isn't just physically gifted, says Lynch.
"Reuben is an extremely talented player," he said. "Everyone talks about the talent (but) he's one of the smartest football players I've been around. He sees things extremely well."
Richard Sherman is entering his eighth NFL season and first with the 49ers after spending seven years in Seattle. Despite his illustrious career, Sherman remains a wildcard on the defense because his health is a question mark. The veteran cornerback is coming off an injured Achilles sustained last November while with the Seahawks.
Sherman is currently dealing with a hamstring strain and is not expected to play against the Texans on Saturday night. At times, Lynch and the coaching staff find themselves fighting Sherman's competitive drive and dedication to his teammates. The cornerback wants to practice but, at the same time, the 49ers have to look at what is best for the team.
"Sherm wants to get out there, and that's what we love about him," Lynch said. "That's what makes him Richard Sherman, is that will and he doesn't want to let his teammates down. We're trying to think of the big picture. We need him healthy come (Week 1 against) Minnesota, our opener, and throughout the year. And we don't want anything nagging going into the year.
"He's done a great job with his rehab. He heals incredibly fast, but we're just trying to — what do they say? Discretion is the better part of valor. We're trying to be smart on this one."
George Kittle recently spoke with ESPN during the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, where he joined other NFL stars for the golfing event. Of course, the conversation shifted toward football, with Laura Rutledge asking Kittle to reflect on the team's 2023 season, its Super Bowl defeat, and the motivation it provides for the upcoming season.
The tight end believes San Francisco maintained a competitive roster this offseason and is gearing up for another run at a championship. He emphasized the importance of maintaining good health and continual improvement for a successful upcoming season.
"Brock Purdy is a fantastic quarterback, and he's only going to get better because he's young," Kittle said. "And we were fortunate enough to be able to keep our entire
Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group caught up with Brock Purdy over the weekend as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback hosted his inaugural youth football camp at Levi's Stadium. Today, Purdy and most of his teammates will report to the team for the start of the offseason program, which will be limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation over the next couple of weeks.
While this offseason holds significance for Purdy as he seeks to build upon an impressive 2023 campaign that saw him set a single-season franchise
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch and Offensive Line coach Chris Foerster were in Seattle on Saturday scouting prospects of the Washington Huskies. While Washington has multiple talented draft prospects, the fact that Foerster was accompanying Lynch is notable considering Washington has two offensive linemen who are getting a lot of attention—Troy Fautanu and Roger Rosengarten.
Per source, John Lynch, Chris Foerster looked at several Washington draft prospects today. Huskies are loaded with draft talent, including …WR: Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillanOL: Troy Fautanu, Roger RosengartenEDGE:
Analyst Steve Palazzolo unveiled a first-round mock draft for Pro Football Focus, attempting to forecast the selections for each NFL team within the top 32 picks. While the San Francisco 49ers concentrated on strengthening the defensive line in free agency, Palazzolo envisions the team continuing to fortify that side of the ball.
In his mock draft, Palazzolo predicts that the 49ers will select former Iowa State cornerback T.J. Tampa with the No. 31 overall pick.
"Tampa's unique fluidity and size for a cornerback make him worthy of a top-75 pick," reads the analysis from Pro Football Focus' big board. "If he can clean up his footwork, he can
