Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Thursday, March 31st, 2022
“Key, 25, is coming off the best season of his career, and was second on the 49ers with 6.5 sacks in 2021. Before last season, Key had just three sacks in 37 games.”
Jed York references Young-Montana situation when discussing why 49ers don’t have QB ‘problem’
“I think those two drove each other in the late ’80s and early ’90s to be the best that they could possibly be,” York said. “If that’s the situation that we have and that’s what is created, sign me up for that problem any day.”
“Harley (5-11, 182) was not among those invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. He registered 182 receptions for 2,158 yards and 15 touchdowns in five seasons with the Hurricanes, per Sports Reference. The receiver finished as the school’s all-time leader in receptions, moving past Reggie Wayne.”
“Here’s an intriguing corner who could help a team with a few different needs,” wrote Reid. “McCreary has the versatility to play in the slot or on the perimeter, and he could be a nice Day 2 addition to a defense that also added Charvarius Ward in free agency.”
“Although he never coached, Griese told some people in Denver he was interested in the 49ers’ job vacancy. That word was relayed to Shanahan, who gave Griese a call and set up an interview.”
Why 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan believes the NFL has free agency and the draft backwards
“So then, if you are going to overpay—which, that’s what free agency is, you have to overpay to go get those those [players]—it kind of defeats the purpose of the draft right after it. I feel, if it goes the other way around, you do the draft, you get all those guys, and you go overpay because you have to overpay, because you know where you’re at.”
Draft Wire has 49ers hitting 3 key needs in 3-round projections
“It’s pretty easy to see the 49ers going after an offensive lineman early in this year’s draft. Especially a player like Kinnard who played right tackle in college. He could either kick inside to try and win one of the two guard spots, but he gives them another option at right tackle if they need to move on from Mike McGlinchey after this year. Kinnard has NFL size at 6-5, 322 pounds with 35-inch arms, and his physicality should translate well in a run-heavy offense like San Francisco’s.”
What impressed Kyle Shanahan about new 49ers CB Charvarius Ward
“I just liked how he played bump coverage the most,” Shanahan shared. “I mean, they put him on an island a lot. He’s got extreme[ly] long arms. He never panics. He’s got very quick feet. He stays on top of guys. They put him in some positions that a lot of guys would just back up and play a little timid, and I never saw him change. I liked his style, and getting to meet the guy, I feel real happy that he’s a 49er.”
“We’ll discuss other positions, including the offensive line and tight end, in this mailbag. But as usual, quarterbacks dominate the discussion.”
Branch: 49ers CEO Jed York maintains optimism even after 27 title-free seasons (paywall)
“That was part of the 49ers’ CEO’s extensive title-or-bust rhetoric. It included “I believe in winning championships” and “I believe in chasing perfection” and “a championship-caliber mentality was ingrained in me from an early age” and his often-referenced quote about the 49ers not commemorating NFC titles because they raised only “Super Bowl banners.”
Rams’ Jalen Ramsey ranks 49ers’ Deebo Samuel among the NFL’s best receivers
“Them three for sure because they change the game,” Ramsey explained. “Honestly, the offenses are structured around them.”