3 sleeper NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year candidates

The San Francisco 49ers' decision to hire Nick Sorensen as the defensive coordinator, replacing Steve Wilks, may have surprised some within the media. However, for star linebacker Fred Warner, it was a fantastic move. Given Sorensen's familiarity with the system, Warner expects the defense to benefit from the continuity, having been part of the 49ers' coaching staff since 2022. "Nick's great, man," Warner recently told NFL Network's Steve Wyche and Judy Battista. "I love the hire. Nick has been a part of this organization for a couple of years now and has been heavily involved with the linebackers, and he's played the game for a long

Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated caught up with San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall at last week's NFLPA Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles. This was before the first-year player reported this week to Santa Clara for organized team activities (OTAs). During the multi-day event in Southern California, invited NFL rookies had the chance to hold their first rookie cards, printed on the spot during photography sessions at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. For Pearsall, some question the future value of that souvenir, criticizing the 49ers for selecting the former Florida receiver with the No. 31 overall pick—a move pundits labeled as a reach. Pearsall aims to prove his critics wrong, telling Manzano,

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings has signed a two-year deal worth up to $15.4 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed. After being absent last week, Jennings has rejoined his teammates for organized team activities (OTAs) this week. Restricted free-agent WR Jauan Jennings is signing a two-year deal with the 49ers worth up to $15.4 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed. The deal was negotiated and confirmed by agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus.Jennings did not sign his free-agent tender and instead did…

The San Francisco 49ers are widely regarded as having one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, and analytics site Pro Football Focus agrees with that sentiment. Contributors Jim Wyman and Dalton Wasserman recently assessed and ranked all 32 NFL rosters, placing the 49ers at the top of their list. "San Francisco had three players who ranked inside the top two of their position in overall grade last season — Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle," the contributors explained. "They also had Deebo Samuel, who finished 12th among wide receivers in receiving grade. Simply put, the 49ers are still stacked with offensive