Sod News: Levi’s Turf Issues Continue on Day Two

Power rankings in May don't mean a lot, especially when you throw in figuring out how an unproven crop of rookies will impact a team's future success. "The NFL draft and the Power Rankings don't mix," wrote NFL.com contributor Dan Hanzus. That didn't stop him from trying. Hanzus released his latest power rankings, his first since a post-free-agency version in March, and has the San Francisco 49ers jumping up three spots to No. 9. The Niners' draft features the No. 3 overall pick, Trey Lance of North Dakota State. The team also added two offensive linemen in Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore, two running backs in Trey Sermon and Elijah

The San Francisco 49ers' selection of guard Aaron Ranks in the second round took many by surprise. Maybe not the Atlanta Falcons, though. The former Notre Dame offensive lineman was selected ahead of where most figured he would go. Many figured the Niners would select the best available cornerback with their second-round pick. Also, Banks is bigger than the offensive linemen that San Francisco typically targets. Jeremy Fowler broke down some "key intel" on all 32 NFL teams in a feature for ESPN. He had the

According to assistant general manager Adam Peters, the San Francisco 49ers award a "gold helmet" designation to draft prospects who are "exemplary" in several areas, including leadership and intelligence. He told Matt Barrows of The Athletic that last year's fifth-round pick, offensive lineman Colton McKivitz, received the designation. Heading into a draft, only 15-20 prospects earn the "gold helmet." This year, the 49ers ended up drafting two players who earned the designation — quarterback Trey Lance, selected No. 3 overall, and safety Talanoa Hufanga, the last of three fifth-round