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won't be expected to come in and immediately replace the productivity of Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, especially considering that concerns over the coronavirus pandemic have severely limited NFL offseason. Buckner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts when it became clear that the San Francisco 49ers weren't going to be able to lock him up to a long-term deal.
They were able to sign defensive lineman
Arik Armstead to a contract extension, though. Shortly after re-signing him, news of the Buckner trade broke.
Armstead spoke with reporters via a video conference call on Wednesday, and,
as he stated in April, he said the trade of Buckner came as a shock. The plan to deal Buckner had been in the works since after the Super Bowl, and his agent was
permitted to speak with other teams about getting the contract his client deserved. He had to come back with a nice draft pick as compensation, though.
RELATED 49ers' Arik Armstead believes he is hitting his stride, 'just getting started'
That ended up being the No. 13 overall pick.
With Buckner gone, Armstead plans to mentor his new rookie teammate, Kinlaw, as he transitions from the college game to the pros.
"Every guy is unique and different in his own right," Armstead said when asked about Kinlaw replacing Buckner. "Javon is going to have his own career. But looking at him in the limited stuff I've seen, he's extremely talented, athletic, strong. He's going to add a lot to our team, and I'm excited for when we all get back together, all of us starting that journey, to help bring him along and get him up to speed, being a leader, and guiding him through his career, especially in these early stages.
"I'm trying to help him any way I can, so I'm excited about the opportunity to play with him and being able to—we all have common goals—and go out there and play together, and start that journey, whenever that happens."
Armstead knows that replacing his former teammate and close friend, Buckner, will have to be a group effort.
"Losing DeFo, he's an irreplaceable player, a leader, a staple within our organization," Armstead said. "There's going to be a void there that not just one person is going to be able to fill. It's going to be a team effort, especially our unit. In our defensive line, we're all going to have to pick it up to help fill that void.
"I think we're up for it. I think we have a great group of guys, and we have a great team. I don't feel like we were reliant on just three guys throughout the year. ... It was a group effort. Guys, at their own times, stepped in to make plays in the entirety of the roster.
"I think we're built the right way to adjust to something like this, and, moving forward, I expect me and a whole host of my teammates stepping up in leadership ways on the field, making plays, and filling that void."
The 49ers in March signed Armstead to a five-year deal worth up to $85 million. He played on his fifth-year option in 2019 and was scheduled to become a free agent before re-signing with San Francisco.
The 49ers made Armstead the No. 17 overall selection in 2015 after playing college football at Oregon. He registered
54 combined tackles, a career-high and team-leading 10 sacks, two passes defensed, and two forced fumbles through 16 starts last season.
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(Episode 329) — Al Sacco is joined by ESPN NFL draft analyst and insider Matt Miller to discuss the best prospect fits for the 49ers, his connection to the 49ers, how the 49ers improve their receiver corp, the state of QB play in the NFL, and more.
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You can watch the interview below.
You can listen to the latest "No Huddle Podcast"
Steph Sanchez and MLFootball report that the San Francisco 49ers hosted former Georgia safety Javon Bullard on a pre-draft visit yesterday.
🚨EXCLUSIVE: Georgia star safety Javon Bullard had a TOP-30 visit with the San Francisco #49ers yesterday, sources tell @_MLFootball & @Steph49K. Bullard, 21-years-old is a very good athlete and is great in coverage.
Just when you thought the San Francisco 49ers and Tom Brady storylines had concluded, the future Hall of Fame quarterback drops another tidbit that sparks discussion. During an episode of "DeepCut with VicBlends," the host asked Brady what he would do if the NFL came calling once again.
VicBlends inquired if Brady would consider returning to the football field if a playoff-bound team like the 49ers needed him.
"I'm not opposed to it," Brady said, per Jordan Mendoza of USA Today. "I don't know if they're gonna let me if I become an owner an NFL team. I don't know, I'm always gonna be in good shape, always be able to
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
