NFL injury updates, latest league news from Friday, Dec. 31

We're just over 24 hours before round one of the NFL Draft begins. The San Francisco 49ers are scheduled to have their first pick in the opening round since 2021 when they drafted Trey Lance. That didn't turn out well, but there is optimism that the team will be able to make its roster better over the next few days. GM John Lynch spoke on Monday and said there's a possibility the team could trade out of the first round. I doubt that would go over well with the fanbase, especially since they haven't had a first-rounder in the past two years. But if it's a good trade that lands the 49ers some quality picks, we could see that happen, especially if there aren't any players at pick 31 that the team is excited about. We opened up the 49ers Webzone Mailbag to see what

While most expect the San Francisco 49ers to target an offensive lineman with their first-round pick, NFL Media lead draft writer Eric Edholm has the team going in another direction with the No. 31 overall pick. In his final mock draft of the year, Edholm has the team selecting former Illinois defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton, who also goes by "Johnny." "If you're worried Newton's skill set overlaps too much with that of Javon Hargrave, consider that Hargrave is set to hit the salary cap at more than $28 million in the 2025 season -- when he'll be 32 years old," Edholm explained. "As a relentless scheme-wrecker, Newton would help alleviate the

Trent Williams will be 36 at the start of the 2024 NFL season. While retirement isn't on his mind just yet, the San Francisco 49ers must consider a succession plan for left tackle. NFL Media's Bucky Brooks unveiled his final mock draft, projecting the San Francisco 49ers to select former Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with the No. 31 overall pick as their eventual replacement for Williams. "With Trent Williams entering the twilight of his career, the 49ers have to find an eventual replacement on the edge," Brooks noted. "Morgan is a sound blocker at the point of attack with diverse skills

Mock draft season is drawing to a close, and NFL Media analyst Charles Davis turned in his third and final installment ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, set to commence tomorrow in Detroit. It's widely anticipated that the San Francisco 49ers will bolster their offensive line with the No. 31 overall pick, and Davis doesn't stray from this expectation. With talents like Amarius Mims and Tyler Guyton off the board, Davis sees general manager John Lynch and his team selecting former Washington offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten. "Having gone without a first-round pick in each of the past two drafts, the