Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Friday, February 28th, 2025
“One more note: I’ve heard from a few NFL sources that the 49ers have been mentioned as a popular potential destination for at least a few top defensive linemen who have quietly started looking around should they get waived for salary savings or hit the trade market.
The 49ers’ decision will almost certainly be predicated by how they view the crop of top defensive and offensive linemen likely to be there for them at the 11th pick. If they think they can get a potential Pro Bowler on either side of the line, the 49ers might not be too involved in chasing a veteran starter.
But defensive end Abdul Carter, defensive tackle Mason Graham, and offensive tackle Will Campbell might be the only slam-dunk choices at those positions in this class, and I don’t think any of them will make it to 11. If the 49ers make the same calculations, they would be likelier to look for upgrades on the trade — possibly offering No. 11 — or free-agent markets…..And Hargrave, who was signed at about the same age Joey Bosa is now, hit a swift performance drop as his body seemed to wear down. This would be a similar reason for the 49ers not to go after 30-year-old Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who has been given permission to seek a trade.
Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, probably the best defensive lineman in the league, has also requested a trade, but the Browns have repeatedly said they’re not moving him. That could change, but Garrett would cost a lot more than the 49ers’ 11th pick, and then the 49ers would have to pay him, too……Three more names: What if the Bengals’ salary crunch forces them to look into trading defensive end Trey Hendrickson? A cheaper option: The 49ers went hard after Khalil Mack before the Raiders traded him to Chicago in 2018; they might be able to get him a lot less expensively now. Or, on a similar theme — if Mark Davis would even consider sending one of his stars to the 49ers this time around — what if Maxx Crosby wants out of Las Vegas?”
NFL Scouting Combine: 49ers evaluating tight end and cornerback prospects
- TE Jake Briningstool, Clemson
- TE CJ Dippre, Alabama
- TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
- TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
- TE Mason Taylor, LSU
- CB Brandon Adams, UCF
- CB Zy Alexander, LSU
- CB Cobee Bryant, Kansas
- CB Max Hairston, Kentucky
- CB Tommi Hill, Nebraska
- CB Will Johnson, Michigan
- CB Jacob Parrish, Kansas State
- CB Quincy Riley, Louisville”
Why 49ers are kicking themselves for Jake Moody’s post-injury struggles (paywall)
“Moody didn’t blame any lingering physical problems, but he said his layoff probably played a role in his inconsistency.
“This is my first time getting injured midseason and missing time,” Moody said. “It’s been a big learning experience. Just how to deal with it. How to go through all the rehab for it, come back and kind of pick up where you left off … which can be tough, especially in kicking.”
During a game last season in which Moody missed a field goal, Lynch said he received a text from former Pro Bowl kicker Jason Elam, his teammate with the Broncos from 2004-07.
“It was just out of the blue — I haven’t talked to him in five years,” Lynch said. “He texted me and he said, ‘This guy is a talented dude, and he’s got a real good swing. … He’s going to make a lot more than he’s going to miss. You know he’s in this in his head right now, so help him through.’”
Lynch reveals 49ers are exploring multiple Mason contract options
“—The 49ers could secure him to a one-year, $5.35 million contract that would ensure that San Francisco receives a second-round draft pick as compensation if another team were to sign Mason.
—The 49ers could tender him at $3.27 million but that would provide San Francisco only with the right of first refusal. If another team signed Mason to an offer sheet, the 49ers could match the contract. If they did not match, they would not receive any compensation.
—The 49ers could sign him to a multi-year extension, like they did with wide receiver Jauan Jennings a year ago.
— Or, the 49ers could decide not to tender him, which would make him an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with any team on or after March 12.”
“Juszczyk agreed to a salary reduction to $1.21 million last season. He is scheduled to make $4.1 million in base salary this year. Lynch did not state whether the 49ers would approach Juszczyk this offseason about accepting another cut in pay.”
49ers met with Michigan CB Will Johnson at NFL Scouting Combine
“According to Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson revealed that he had a formal interview with the San Francisco 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Cohn also noted that the interview did not include 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.”
“According to OverTheCap.com, the one-year deal includes a base salary of $1.17 million—the veteran minimum for a player with Bartch’s experience—a $142,500 signing bonus, and a $25,000 workout bonus, bringing the total contract value to approximately $1.34 million.”