Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Wednesday, March 12th, 2025
“Under the rules for the NFL’s compensatory picks, the 49ers will receive three additional draft choices for net losses during free agency a year ago.”
49ers add Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson despite possibility of suspension (paywall)
“However, Robinson was arrested for suspicion of DUI in the early morning of Nov. 25 after he was allegedly driving more than 100 mph on Highway 101 several hours after a prime-time home loss to the Eagles. Robinson was charged with one count of misdemeanor DUI in January. Rams general manager Les Snead indicated last week that he could face an NFL suspension during the 2025 season.
“He does have some things that he’s got to work through legally (this) offseason that could prevent play time in the future,” Snead said. “So that’s the reality. We appreciate what he’s done.”
49ers add veteran WR Demarcus Robinson: Can he help fill the Deebo Samuel void? (paywall)
“He likes players who can get open in tight spaces and get off the line of scrimmage cleanly. That wasn’t Samuel’s strong suit, and it became problematic last season when defenses played more man coverage against the 49ers. Robinson doesn’t have tremendous size at just under 6-foot-2, he ran an ordinary 4.59-second 40-yard dash before his rookie season and his YAC yardage was minimal last season. But later in his career, he’s been someone who can get open and a wideout the Rams leaned on when more heralded teammates were injured. He played in all 17 games last season and set career highs in catches (31), receiving yards (505) and touchdowns (7).”
Albert Breer reassures 49ers fans panicking about offseason exodus
““But this was the logical time to do it,” Breer said. “And if you want real encouragement, here it is for you. The Buffalo Bills did this exact same thing last year. And the Bills, I think it was something like $65 million in dead cap they took on. They got rid of a ton of guys.”
Many questioned how the Bills would manage after their own roster overhaul.
“And you know what ended up happening? A great program carried them through,” Breer commented. “The Rams, two years ago, same thing. The Rams, two years ago, they ate all of this dead money. They traded away [CB] Jalen Ramsey. What are the Rams going to do? Well, it was a front office, a coaching staff that made a lot of good decisions over the years, continuing to make good decisions, filling out the roster.
“And now, what do you see? You see the Rams and Bills in a good position going forward with clean cap and a full complement of draft picks. I think that’s sort of where the Niners are.”
49ers signing ‘special teams ace’ Luke Gifford to a one-year deal
“While Gifford (6-3, 243) played 77% of the special teams snaps last season, he also contributed to 20% of the defensive snaps.”
“Last season, he added four tackles for a loss, three quarterback hits, three sacks, and a pass defensed.
Pinnock, 25, has totaled 227 tackles (12 for a loss), 11 quarterback hits, two interceptions, a touchdown, 6.5 sacks, 11 passes defensed, and five forced fumbles over his four NFL seasons.”
If dismantling the 49ers’ defense was the plan all along, what comes next? (paywall)
“The 49ers will try to fill some holes in free agency, but this year’s group of players on the open market was considered underwhelming. And it has already been picked over plenty during the legal-tampering period, which began Monday.
The 49ers’ top remaining defensive tackle option could be Detroit’s Levi Onwuzurike, 27 whose career totals include 10 starts and 3.5 sacks. The best available edge rushers are past-their-prime players such as DeMarcus Lawrence, 32, and Za’Darius Smith, 32. At linebacker, it’s possible another aging player, Eric Kendricks, 33, tops the list after he backed out of a verbal agreement with the 49ers last year.
It appears Lynch wasn’t joking last month when he said the 49ers needed to get younger — and cheaper — through the draft.”
“Mason can still negotiate with any other team. But if another team signs him to an offer sheet and the 49ers decline to match, San Francisco would receive a second-round pick as compensation.
The second-round tender, in effect, discourages any other team from pursuing Mason as a free agent.
The 49ers took a similar approach last year with wide receiver Jauan Jennings. San Francisco tendered Jennings at a second-round level but eventually replaced that tender with a new two-year, $15.4 million contract.”
Report: 49ers target Joey Bosa agrees to free-agent Bills contract
“He has been plagued by injuries throughout his professional career, sitting out 23 games over the past three seasons with a variety of ailments.”
“Floyd had 8.5 sacks last season, his first with the 49ers after signing a two-year, $20 million contract with San Francisco last offseason.”
“Robinson spent most of the 2024 season recovering from a torn ACL, but recent reports indicate he is progressing well.”