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In a special for FOX Sports, analyst Bucky Brooks ranked his top five NFL rookies through Week 10, and San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell received some love. The Louisiana product landed at No. 5 on Brooks' power ranking.
"Elijah Mitchell was a sixth-round pick, and who thought he would be able to make an immediate impact?" Brooks said. "Well, the San Francisco 49ers did because this is what they do at the running back position. They typically take late-round picks, and they transform them and make them stars.
"Elijah Mitchell might be the next one to get it done in Kyle Shanahan's offense. He already has over 500 yards, he has three touchdowns, and if you've got a chance to check them out against the Rams, Elijah Mitchell was making it happen."
Mitchell carried the football 27 times for 91 rushing yards in the 31-10 rout of the Rams. That put the rookie at 560 rushing yards and three touchdowns through seven game appearances this season.
"Outstanding vision, one-cut runner," Brooks continued. "Runs behind his pads, so he has great physicality and finishing skills. As the 49ers kind of lean into their running game as their identity, Elijah Mitchell could be a star out west in the Bay Area."
Mitchell is dealing with a finger fracture this week and did not practice on Wednesday. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan is optimistic that the rookie running back could still play on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Below is Brooks' entire top-5 rookie power ranking through Week 10.
ESPN analyst on Brandon Aiyuk: 49ers shouldn't pay two receivers top dollar
By David Bonilla
Apr 9
ESPN analyst Matt Miller understands the perspective of San Francisco 49ers fans. After all, he has been a fan of the team since he was a kid. Seeing any of your favorite players leave and put on another uniform is tough.
It's also difficult to pay everyone, and Miller knows that. It's not a formula for successful roster building, including paying two wide receivers top dollar.
The 49ers are trying to negotiate a contract extension with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The team invested heavily in another receiver, Deebo Samuel, just two years ago. Is allowing each of them to consume a significant chunk of the salary cap feasible for a team that hopes to continue being competitive and win Super Bowls?
"I have to separate the fan part of my brain, who
Could the 49ers trade up in the draft for a top tackle?
By David Bonilla
Apr 11
The San Francisco 49ers are likely hoping that a top offensive lineman drops to them at No. 31 in the first round of this month's draft. Fans would like to see the team add someone to compete with Colton McKivitz for the right tackle spot and potentially take over for Trent Williams when the future Hall of Famer decides to retire.
Having two studs bookending the offensive line would go a long way in protecting franchise quarterback Brock Purdy. While tackle may be the first-round target, depending on how the first 30 selections play out, San Francisco might have to trade up to get a genuinely impactful
With the 2024 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, NFL Media draft analyst Chad Reuter recently identified the ideal top two draft picks for each team. The San Francisco 49ers have 10 selections in the upcoming draft, with their first two picks at No. 31 overall and No. 63.
Reuter noted, "I kept some semblance of realism in this process, however, assigning each player only once and making reasonable projections of where prospects may be selected."
Who are the standout picks for the 49ers? Reuter envisions the team addressing both offense and defense with their initial selections. It's widely anticipated that San Francisco will bolster its offensive line with
Potential 49ers defensive draft target visiting this week
By David Bonilla
Apr 14
Last week, it was reported that the San Francisco 49ers planned to host former Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips on a pre-draft visit. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirms that the visit will take place during the upcoming week, which marks the final opportunity for such visits to occur.
Phillips will also meet with the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans this week.
Adding a noteworthy tidbit to the social media post, Garafolo mentions, "A likely second-round pick, though some evaluators have first-round grades on
