How 49ers can improve pass rush in the draft after they got exposed in 2025 (Paywall) “Malachi Lawrence (Central Florida) has a No. 39 consensus big-board ranking via NFL Mock Draft Database, an aggregation of publicly available big boards and mock drafts, but “the Beast” author Dane Brugler of the Athletic recently mocked Lawrence at No. 26. Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) appears in similarly unpredictable territory. Howell is No. 35 on the consensus big board but landed at No. 26 on a mock draft by
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Welcome to the season of guesswork, folks.
Lawrence and Howell are twitchy athletes with good get-off. Lawrence has longer arms. Howell has better bend. Lawrence shows a higher floor against the run, based on Brugler’s assessment of both. From a production standpoint, Howell was a consensus All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.”
Kawakami: The Trent Williams plan and more 49ers pre-draft positioning (Paywall)
“I’m sure other 49ers assistants have been enthusiastic about draft prospects and livened up the building in general, but it seems like Morris — one of Shanahan’s best friends in coaching — is already in a class of his own.
“He’s a bundle of energy. He’s curious. He’s insightful,” Lynch said. “We always talk about there’s guys who drain a room and then there’s guys who give life to a room; he gives life to a room. He’s funny.
“His whole thing is, ‘If we draft this guy, I’m throwing a pool party.’ We’re hoping we’re having a lot of pool parties with Raheem.”
Matt Maiocco’s NFL mock draft 5.0: 49ers select UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence
“Defensive line coach Kris Kocurek values quickness at the snap of the ball. And that is exactly what Lawrence brings to the table. Lawrence is a true edge with tremendous upside to play opposite of Nick Bosa in passing situations.”
49ers mailbag: Why Kenyon Sadiq might fall; will team double up at edge? (Paywall)
“I know we’ve been beating this drum all offseason, but it still feels like Mac Jones could be traded. The Arizona Cardinals, for example, don’t even have a starting quarterback on hand for their offseason program (Jacoby Brissett is staying away because he wants starter-level money.) If they miss out on a top quarterback in the draft, would they be interested in a trade, or are they merely positioning themselves for a quarterback in the 2027 draft?
The other spot the 49ers seem to have some overflow is at cornerback. They signed two in free agency, Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs.”
Hutchinson: This is my one and only 49ers Mock Draft (Paywall)
“Why he’s available: Frankly, I think people overrate (negatively) the weird system at Tennessee in which he stayed on the right side of the formation, never went in motion, and was coached to be lazy. He also struggles to keep his feet in bounds and had some drops.
Why the 49ers will like him: He’s a 6’5” receiver who moves like a gazelle, with unfathomable deceleration and route-running craft at his size. Elite physical talent and tools who won’t have to produce Day 1 and gets to learn from Mike Evans. They have used this year-early model before with Ricky Pearsall. Remember, Evans could be a one-and-done, and neither Christian Kirk nor Demarcus Robinson are signed after this year. Brazzell is all upside with the runway to learn, without pressure on his shoulders.
What I think of this pick: My #2 receiver in the class. He’s special, or at least should be. I don’t like how he can’t drag his toes, but I do not care about the Volunteers’ ugly offense. The drops don’t bother me. He did it all at Tulane, and frankly, he blocks his tail off. He’s a rare guy who can truly be a star X receiver.”
