Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Wednesday, February 12th, 2025
49ers 7-round mock draft: Why rebuilding the trenches is likely and necessary (paywall)
“The question is whether Simmons should be the choice. He’s arguably the most talented tackle in this class but is coming off an ACL tear in October. The medical check-ins are critical. Missouri’s Armand Membou and LSU’s Will Campbell are other options at the position….
The 49ers have been searching for Nick Bosa’s bookend for half a decade. In Scourton they’d find a big-bodied, three-down defensive end whose best season came in 2023 when — while playing lighter for Purdue — he had 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. If he returns to that form, a Nick-Nic defensive line would be formidable.
If Scourton is off the board when the 49ers pick, they could think about the two Ohio State defensive ends — Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau — or Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander.”
49ers could lose coach, front office member to job openings [report]
“San Francisco would receive two future third-round picks from the NFL’s rules on hiring of diversity candidates if Williams were hired to the top job in Jacksonville.”
ESPN’s Field Yates has 49ers adding Trent Williams successor in mock draft
“So if San Francisco wants to return to form and keep its contention window open, it must invest in the offensive line this offseason. Simmons is coming off a knee injury sustained in October, so his range is much wider than most prospects slotted this high — medicals will be key for him. But if they check out throughout the process, Simmons’ elite physical traits and quickness give him a chance to emerge as the best left tackle in the class.”
“Because Samuel is coming off a down year and is entering the final year of his contract with other top receivers set to be available in free agency or trade, a Day 3 draft pick and perhaps another late-round pick would probably satisfy the 49ers.
If there isn’t much of a trade market, the Niners might have to settle for less unless they package picks with Samuel.”
Where Deebo trade would leave 49ers at wide receiver position
“With some degree of uncertainty surrounding Aiyuk and Pearsall heading into the season, Jennings is the wide receiver on the roster who might enter the season as Brock Purdy’s top option.
Assuming Samuel is not back on the team, the 49ers’ next-best option could be second-year player Jacob Cowing, whose contributions as a rookie came as the team’s primary return man.”
49ers assistant could join Saints, director of scouting interviews with Jaguars
“According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, 49ers assistant head coach Brandon Staley is the frontrunner to become the New Orleans Saints’ defensive coordinator under head coach Kellen Moore.”
PFF reveals draft prospect who can take 49ers ‘to the next level’
“Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. could help them in multiple ways in the near and distant future,” Wasserman continued. “First, he is an excellent pass protector who trails only Patrick Paul and Joe Alt among FBS tackles in PFF pass-blocking grade over the past two seasons. Banks is also an excellent fit in Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone run scheme. In 2024, he earned an 82.4 PFF run-blocking grade across a high volume of outside-zone reps at Texas.
“Banks’ talent and scheme fit is perfect for Kyle Shanahan’s offense in the short term. He could be an immediate upgrade at right tackle and potentially replace Trent Williams on the left side whenever he decides to retire. Williams has two years left on his current contract. Drafting an heir to his position could be a wise idea for next year and beyond.”
“Look, I respect and I like Davante, but man, if I’m the 49ers, I’m trying to get younger,” Baldinger said. “I’m just trying to get younger.”
Baldinger mentioned that he saw several fast, young wideouts with potential during the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. He also highlighted how the Philadelphia Eagles recently won the Super Bowl with a roster infused with youthful talent rather than aging veterans nearing the end of their careers.
“I just want young legs, guys that have a burst,” Baldinger explained. “I know Davante has these 10 different releases that he can win one-on-ones, and that’s great. I just want to get younger, the way the Eagles got younger—draft and develop. I don’t think you should fear that. I think that’s the approach you have to take.”
“And there’s nobody amongst us or fans that don’t like Deebo or respect Deebo,” Baldinger continued. “We’ve seen the things that he has done in this league. But, right now, they’re hamstrung by some really big contracts.
“The [WR Brandon] Aiyuk contract is big. We’ll see if he comes back and what player he is when he comes back because you don’t know right away—or when he comes back. But they’ve got a lot of money put into the wide receiver position and a lot of key positions.”