Like all NFL teams, the 49ers make roster moves throughout the year. But the weeks preceding the draft, with their mad flurry of trades and free-agency additions/losses, demand particular attention. These moves may impact both the roster and salary cap for several subsequent seasons. While some teams seem to prefer a get-there-first-with-the-most strategy, the Niners play a more measured, although by no means moribund, game.
Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden often admonished his players to "be quick but don't hurry." This quote applies to the 49ers pre-draft strategy. While the 49ers personnel department seldom makes early big-splash signings, they prepare well, recognize a good opportunity when it appears, and then pounce quickly, for example, the trade of a late-round draft pick for Anquan Boldin.
This time of year, the 49ers brain-trust capably keeps at least three components in mind simultaneously before making roster moves: 1) How will adding/losing this player help/harm our team? 2) How will this player's contract affect the salary cap? And (3) how will this move help set up the draft? Of course, every other team struggles with these questions, but the 49ers, with their emphasis on roster flexibility, perhaps gain some small edge in their use of trades and free agency to help set up the draft.
Coming off the 2011 season, many experts pointed out that the 49ers needed, glaringly, another receiver. The 49ers, well along in free agency but well before the draft, signed Mario Manningham, a wide receiver. Mock drafts, and other teams' expectations of whom the Niners might take in the 2012 draft, re-adjusted. The 49ers went ahead and picked a receiver in the first round anyway. With the non-contributions of that first round pick (indeed, meager contributions from the 2011 draft in general), combined with the late season injury to Manningham, one can plausibly argue that the strategy failed, but hindsight makes aces of us all.
Coming off the 2012 season, experts, and the mock-draft consensus, considered the 49ers to have four main areas of need: defensive line, secondary, wideout (again) and special teams. As of this writing, the 49ers have so far signed and/or traded for three of those four needs (Dorsey, Boldin, Skuta) and have hosted several defensive backs. Again, these moves not only fill roster holes, but help set up the draft. How?
First, particularly with the early picks, the 49ers do not necessarily have to draft solely for need. They put themselves into position not to have to choose between "the best player available," or a must-draft starter. Given their variety of needs this year, they can move up and down the draft board for value, and still get players that may help during their rookie seasons. Second, the 49ers competitors will have more difficulty discerning whom the 49ers may or may not choose. The depth chart will not display as many obvious goose-eggs. Other teams may still perceive Niner needs, but not with stone cold certainty. Fostering this unpredictability surely does not displease the cagey Niners.
Why should this max-flexibility strategy work this year, and perhaps give the Niners a small edge? Because, pace the perpetually-contending Patriots in drafts past, the 49ers have more picks with which to work, and demonstrated last year a willingness to trade up and down the draft board to add value. That practice could serve them in good stead this year.
Were the 49ers overly confident in their 2011 roster coming into last year's draft? Hard to say, but the bold mid-season move to install Colin Kaepernick at quarterback means they do not willingly tarry with complacency. Rather, the 49ers' front office appears to be on the ball, and in the process of setting up this year's draft for success. They do not panic, but, as per Coach Wooden's admonishment, remain ready to move quickly when opportunities arise. We fans might not always agree with their every move, but we have the pleasure of rooting not only for a contending team, but for a competent, clever front-office staff. At any rate, both are fun to watch.
The San Francisco 49ers are facing off against the New York Giants in their home opener on Thursday Night Football, with kickoff slated for 5:20 P.M. PT at Levi's Stadium.
Here's the latest ahead of the 49ers' matchup later this evening.
Pregame
Inactives
The San Francisco 49ers released their seven inactives for the game, with their two questionable players, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and cornerback Ambry Thomas, marked as inactives after facing
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 3 contest against the New York Giants on Thursday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The team did not hold a full practice, instead opting to have players participate in two walkthroughs due to the short week.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is still dealing with the shoulder injury sustained on his first catch against the Los Angeles Rams this past weekend. Cornerback Ambry Thomas is working through a knee injury. Both players were listed as limited participants on Tuesday.
Will the receiver be a game-time decision? What does the 49ers head coach need to know before deciding whether Aiyuk plays against the Giants?
"Just that the trainers and him himself tell me he can go," Kyle
This week's focus remains on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The team has a short week to prepare for its next opponent—the New York Giants on Thursday night at Levi's Stadium. The matchup comes just four days after the Niners' 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
Aiyuk suffered a shoulder injury on his first catch, a 13-yard reception during San Francisco's opening drive. He was in and out of the lineup throughout the game and was limited during the 49ers' light Tuesday practice.
On Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the decision will come down to how Aiyuk feels and the evaluation from the training staff. It sounds like the receiver may end up being a
The extended contract will result in Ryan reaching the 15-year mark as a radio analyst for the team.
The San Francisco 49ers today extended Tim Ryan, the team's radio color analyst, through the 2028 NFL season. Ryan, who joined the 49ers in 2014, will continue to provide color commentary alongside the Voice of the 49ers, Greg Papa. With this extension, both Papa and Ryan are under contract through the 2028 season.
"Tim's energy, passion, and special ability to provide insightful analysis has become an unmistakable part of 49ers broadcasts," said Al Guido, 49ers President. "When fans hear Tim's voice, they think of 49ers football. His longevity with us, including one Super Bowl and three NFC Championship Games,