49ers reporter David Lombardi observed WR Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) running off to the side of practice “at what looks like full speed.” Lombardi expects the rookie to return to practice next week.
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk has requested a trade, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports. Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has been angling for an extension all offseason. A recent meeting between Aiyuk's camp and the 49ers produced no progress toward that extension, according to Garafolo. That prompted Aiyuk to make this trade request.
WR Brandon Aiyuk indicated a couple times over the past week that he's likely to remain with the 49ers for at least the 2024 season. He first said on The Pivot podcast about what jersey he'll be wearing, "If I were to take a guess, probably a Niners uniform." Aiyuk later told TMZ he's "for sure" ready to play in San Francisco this season. The wideout remains under contract through 2024, but the two sides have reportedly stalled out in negotiations on an extension beyond that. Aiyuk has fueled trade rumors with negative takes via social media about his relationship with the team.
San Francisco's George Kittle remained one of the most efficient TEs in the NFL last year, despite playing most of the season at 30 years old. He led the position in both yards per route (2.22) and Pro Football Focus receiving grade. Kittle also averaged a career-high and TE-leading 15.7 yards per catch. He finished sixth among TEs in total PPR points and seventh in PPR points per game -- his sixth straight top-seven finish.
Niners first-round pick WR Ricky Pearsall has been getting first-team action during OTAs, thanks at least in part to WR Brandon Aiyuk's absence. Multiple reports have Pearsall performing well, showing good route-running and hands. (We credited him for the same in his prospect profile.) Pearsall might have a shot at the team's No. 3 WR role, although the 49ers recently re-signed WR Jauan Jennings to a two-year contract with $15.4 million in total money and nearly $8.5 million in guarantees.
The 49ers and RB Christian McCaffrey have agreed to a two-year extension averaging $19 million per year, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It makes McCaffrey the league's highest-paid RB and keeps him signed with San Francisco through the 2027 season. McCaffrey will be 31 when this deal expires.
The 49ers signed undrafted rookie RB Cody Schrader. Schrader spent six years in college and will turn 25 in September. But he’s coming off a massive 2023 season. After four years at Truman State, Schrader walked on at Missouri and immediately led the team with 745 rushing yards in 2022. Then he ripped off 1,627 rushing yards and 14 TDs on 5.9 yards per carry, plus 22 catches for 191 yards, this past year. Schrader led the SEC in rushing and was named a first-team All-American. He ranked 32nd among 157 qualifying RBs in Pro Football Focus’ rushing grades. Schrader is a sturdy 5’9, 202-pounder with good contact balance and strong leg drive. He’s also reliable in the passing game as a receiver and protector. Schrader doesn’t run with much wiggle, though, and bombed at the Combine with a 2.33 Relative Athletic Score. At his advanced age, it’s fair to wonder how much meat is left on this bone. He’s obviously a dynasty long shot after going undrafted and landing in Christian McCaffrey’s backfield. We’ll see if Schrader can make the team this summer.
The 49ers selected Arizona WR Jacob Cowing late in Round 4 of the NFL Draft. Cowing split his five college seasons at UTEP and Arizona. He tallied 31-550-3 as a UTEP freshman before leading the program in all major categories in 2020 (41-691-3). Cowing, a primary slot, saw his production hit new highs in 2021. Fueled by 111 targets, he notched 69-1,361-7. Despite a 15.2-yard aDOT, Cowing still tallied a solid 7.0 yards after catch per reception. He also turned heads with 3.82 yards per route run. In 2022, Cowing transferred to Arizona to live near his son. The move paid off on the field, with Cowing seeing huge target counts (121 and 122) over his final two seasons. He again excelled as a run-after-catch asset. And there’s no questioning his total production. Consider this: In 2023, Cowing ranked second in the nation in yards per team pass attempt. New HC Jedd Fisch used him on shorter routes, leading to aDOTs below 9.0 yards. He gives off some Tank Dell vibes on tape, and that’s backed up by the testing (4.38 forty-time). Of course, WRs of this size (5’8, 168 lbs.) are true outliers. And in the NFL, Cowing won’t project for high volume – particularly once you factor in his 1st percentile wingspan. Cowing joins fellow rookie WR Ricky Pearsall in San Francisco. We’re still waiting to see if WR Brandon Aiyuk or WR Deebo Samuel will be traded. Regardless, Cowing isn’t a great bet for 2024 fantasy value.
The 49ers selected Louisville RB Isaac Guerendo in Round 4 of the NFL Draft. Guerendo battled hamstring and foot injuries at Wisconsin. When healthy, he sat behind Jonathan Taylor and fellow rookie Braelon Allen. So, after five years in Madison (and only 99 carries), Guerendo transferred to Lousiville in 2023. He shared the backfield with Jawhar Jordan, who actually led the team with 181 carries (vs. 132 for Guerendo). The duo posted nearly identical receiving lines: 22-234-0 for Guerendo and 21-246-1 for Jordan. Guerendo wins with an impressive combo of size, speed, and athleticism. The 221-pounder brings return value, too, with 714 career kick return yards. He was the talk of the NFL Combine after posting a ridiculous all-around workout. Consider this: Guerendo’s 4.33 forty time, 129" broad jump, and 41.5" vertical jump all ranked in the 95th percentile or better among Combine RBs since 1999. Now, he doesn’t always play up to those testing numbers. But that potential remains as he gains more reps. In San Francisco, Guerendo will be battling for scraps behind Christian McCaffrey. It’s an awful spot for the rookie’s short-term fantasy value. Landing with HC Kyle Shanahan helps the long-term outlook. McCaffrey turns 28 in June and is signed through 2025.
49ers GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan talked about WR Ricky Pearsall as a guy they believe can contribute right away. “(Pearsall) just plays the position real well, whether he was outside, inside, all three positions,” Shanahan said in his post-draft press conference. “He can separate down the field, he can separate underneath, extremely good hands. … There’s nothing he can’t do." It sure sounds like the Pearsall pick was made with the expectation that WR Brandon Aiyuk or WR Deebo Samuel will be traded. Insider Michael Silver tweeted late Thursday night that he's heard Samuel is more likely to be traded at this point. Shipping away either guy would be excellent news for Pearsall's dynasty value -- and turn him into an interesting 2024 redraft pick.
The 49ers selected Florida WR Ricky Pearsall in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. Pearsall spent five years in college and will turn 24 before his second NFL game. But he’s a polished prospect, winning with precise route running, sticky hands, and after-catch elusiveness. Pearsall emerged as Arizona State’s No. 1 WR in his third year on campus in 2021. He then transferred to Florida, where he led the Gators with 661 receiving yards and five TDs in 2022. This past year brought new career highs with 65 catches and 965 yards – a big 31.4% of Florida’s total receiving yards. Pearsall also ran it 21 times for 253 yards (12.0 YPC) and five TDs across his five college seasons. He surprised at the Combine with a 4.41-second 40 time and 42-inch vertical at 6’1 and 189 pounds. Pearsall’s advanced age and middling production profile are legit concerns. But his polish and ability to contribute in multiple ways gives him a chance to make a fantasy impact early in his career. We'll see whether the 49ers retain Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. Long term, the Florida product projects as a real-life WR2 and a potential fantasy WR3.
Louisville RB Isaac Guerendo rocked a 4.33-second 40 time at the Scouting Combine on Saturday. That rated 99th-percentile among historical Combine RBs. Doing so at 221 pounds gave him a 100th-percentile speed score (125.7) for the position. Be careful about getting overly excited for Guerendo, who failed to eclipse 64 carries across four seasons at Wisconsin. He rushed 132 times and caught 22 passes in a fifth year at Louisville, averaging 6.1 yards per rush and 10.6 per reception. Guerendo still trailed teammate Jawhar Jordan in carries, yards per carry, yards per catch, and TDs. We'll see where he lands in the NFL draft, but Guerendo looks more like an intriguing third-round pick for rookie drafts than a guy who should vault into the first two rounds.
The Commanders released TE Logan Thomas, saving $6.5 million against the 2024 salary cap. Thomas caught 55 balls last year -- 14th among TEs -- but averaged just 9.0 yards per reception on a 6.1-yard average depth of target. We'll see where he lands and how much playing time he claims, but Thomas is a low-upside fantasy asset at this point of his career. The Commanders, meanwhile, are left with TEs Cole Turner, John Bates, and Armani Rogers, who have combined for just 71 NFL catches. The team figures to add to that group in free agency and/or the draft.
Niners LB Dre Greenlaw tore his left Achilles' tendon running onto the field in the second quarter of the Super Bowl. It's devastating timing for a devastating injury that puts his 2024 season into question. On top of that, Greenlaw heads into the final season of a two-year extension. His 2024 carries a $9.6 million cap number vs. just $2.8 million in dead cap if San Francisco cuts him, according to Spotrac. That could make him a cap casualty for a team projected to be just $570K under the cap for 2024. We'll keep an eye on both the contract situation and the rehab for a star LB who will be heading into just his age-27 season. The injury also chips away at Greenlaw's dynasty value, though it doesn't necessarily make him an offseason cut for fantasy.
49ers TE George Kittle (toe) is not listed on the final injury report for the Super Bowl. He was a full participant in practice on Friday and should be ready for his usual role vs. the Chiefs on Sunday. Kansas City allowed the fifth-fewest receptions to WRs during the regular season but finished mid-pack in catches allowed to TEs. Kittle could be a big part of San Francisco's game plan.
49ers TE George Kittle (toe) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. He's fully expected to play in the Super Bowl this weekend, but we'll keep you updated on his status over the next few days.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said Monday that TE George Kittle is "day-to-day" with a toe injury suffered in the NFC Championship. It doesn't sound like he's in danger of missing the Super Bowl in two weeks, but we'll keep you updated on his status. Kittle gets a Chiefs defense that finished the regular season 14th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice and is not listed on the final injury report for the NFC Championship. Samuel will play against the Lions on Sunday -- and it looks like he'll be ready for his usual role. We'll look for further updates on his status, but we're boosting Samuel in this week's rankings.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) got in a limited practice on Thursday. Samuel is dealing with a "bad and painful" bruise, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, but "has a chance" to play in Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Lions. We'll see how he's listed on the final injury report on Friday afternoon.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) won't practice on Wednesday, HC Kyle Shanahan said. Shanahan added that Samuel still has pain in that shoulder but "feels better." Shanahan wouldn't say whether he expects Samuel to be available to Sunday's NFC Championship game vs. the Lions. We'll update his status again tomorrow.
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