NFL insider: 49ers expected to have interest in Mike Evans
“According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora, the 49ers are viewed as a logical suitor—and the interest could be mutual. Evans is reportedly taking a selective approach to his next destination, evaluating quarterback play, offensive scheme, system fit, and Super Bowl contention.”
49ers combine priorities: Trade talks, free-agent targets and draft prospects to watch (paywall)
“There are less intriguing options than Crosby on the free-agent market but ones whom the 49ers must also explore. Perhaps Trey Hendrickson, Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa on a one-year deal, or maybe former Niner Arden Key on a much cheaper, multiyear contract. Bosa, who will be 31 when the season starts, would cost less than Mack and would like the chance to play with his brother. There has been some slippage, but Bosa produced his best pressure rate last season since 2022.”
Kawakami: 49ers offseason predictions — Maxx Crosby, Eddy Piñeiro, Isaiah Likely, and more
“I think they’re set up for at least one big move. I’ve written that the ideal option would be to acquire Justin Jefferson in a mega trade from Minnesota; but even while proposing it more than a month ago I acknowledged it might be very tough to pull off this cycle.
Crosby is a much more realistic option — and still a pretty dynamic guy to imagine lining up opposite of Bosa and turning one of the worst pass rushes in the league last year into one of the best in 2026.
The Raiders want a ton for him, but I don’t think this is going to be a wild-hot auction for a 28-year-old coming off an injury. And I think the 49ers will be high in the running if they offer their first-round pick (No. 27) plus a few other picks down the road. I don’t think the 49ers would want to empty this year’s stash by giving up their second- or third-round picks. But if they can offer their No. 2 in 2027 or something similar, there might be some common ground here…..
….Shanahan and Lynch don’t invest much in guards or at right tackle, but they will spend for left tackle (especially if it’s Trent Williams) and center, if the right center is sitting there.
If there isn’t a top-line receiver available at the right price — and unless Shanahan and Lynch want to go all-in on Alec Pierce, it’s looking there might not be — maybe the 49ers will splurge again at center. Then they can either move Brendel to left guard or have him as a super backup all along the interior line.
I’m not saying that the 49ers for sure will land Linderbaum. I’m saying if they’ve got some extra cash lying around, they might be tempted to see if they can get him. Again, they won’t go nuts. Just will check.”
Should 49ers and Deebo Samuel run it back? Analyzing potential reunion with the ‘wide back’ (paywall)
“But that was then. Now? Samuel, who has never been known for his route-running ability, lacks the qualities that set him apart. In 2025, he had career lows in yards per catch (10.1) and yards after catch per reception (6.5). Most telling: He had six broken tackles on his 72 catches, averaging one broken tackle per 12 receptions, after averaging a broken tackle every 5.7 catches in his first six seasons.
It’s part of a steep decline that began in his last season with the 49ers. Samuel led NFL receivers with 38 broken tackles after catches from 2021 through 2023, and his yards per rushing attempt (6.3) in his first five seasons (2019-23) was the highest among players with 150-plus rushes over that span.
In the past two seasons, he’s had 17 broken tackles on his 182 touches, five fewer than he had on his 136 touches in 2021, and he’s averaged 3.6 yards on his 59 carries.”
Maiocco’s NFL mock draft 1.0: 49ers select Missouri defensive end Zion Young
“The 49ers had the worst pass rush in the NFL last season, and it must be a priority to get Young(er).”