Is 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan kidding himself about Christian McCaffrey’s 2026 workload? (Paywall)
“He needs help? Shanahan has typically focused on how much the 49ers need McCaffrey on the field because of how his historic pass-catching prowess impacts defenses. When asked whether McCaffrey should receive a few more breathers, Shanahan also often has said that McCaffrey doesn’t like leaving games, as if McCaffrey determines his own playing time.
So listening to Shanahan on Monday was jarring. A reporter
immediately asked a follow-up question, noting he never had heard Shanahan discuss McCaffrey’s usage like this: What’s changed?”
NFL mock draft 2026: Picks based on intel from coaches, scouts, agents (paywall)
“With three safeties already off the board, it’s a stretch to think the 49ers can address that need at this spot, so they grab the Tigers’ big edge. The 6-6, 276-pound former five-star recruit with 34 3/8-inch arms didn’t have the production or the impact a lot of recruiting folks expected coming out of high school. He had only two sacks in 2025 after posting seven in 2024, his second season at Auburn. People at Auburn really like this guy, and he’s an intriguing talent. At the combine, he displayed some impressive explosiveness in the testing, vertical jumping 35 inches and broad jumping 9-9, impressive for someone this big. At Auburn’s pro day, he clocked a 4.67 40, also very impressive.
“He was really good when he wanted to be,” said an SEC OC. “He’s big and talented. He’s very heavy-handed. When he comes off the ball and wants to go, he’s hard to deal with. Not that twitchy but is more of a bull-rush, run-over-you kind of guy. I just never thought he played that hard. Same thing (in 2024). But there were a lot of things off with Auburn the past few years.”
49ers draft: NFL.com identifies ideal top two picks for San Francisco
“Boston might not be the next Mike Evans,” Edholm wrote, “but there’s overlap in their games, and the rookie can follow around one of the best vets ever to do it before taking Evans’ spot in San Francisco in a year or two.
“Is receiver the most glaring need? That’s debatable, but the fit felt right — and like something the 49ers would do.”
In the second round, Edholm projects the 49ers selecting former Kentucky offensive guard Jalen Farmer.”
49ers met with Utah State DB Ike Larsen at pro day
“Although Larsen wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, he impressed scouts at his pro day, posting a 4.21-second shuttle time that would have ranked second among safeties at the Combine.”
49ers Pre-Draft Mailbag: What to do at 27 (paywall)
“Give me both of the Kentucky guys: Jalen Farmer and Jager Burton. The former is power personified and the latter is quick pop and placement with a quick snap.
I also LOVE Northwestern guard Evan Beernsten more than I like his tackle counterpart, Caleb Tiernan.
Trey Zuhn II is going to be awesome at center or guard, but he might be a Day 2 guy.
Dillon Wade from Auburn is a true Day 3-er who intrigues me.
Woodgravy asks: Can we get a final what would each “person” do at 27 based on consensus for the 49ers from each of you? 1) Dieter 2)Jake 3)Actual 49ers 4)Kyle 5)John 6)Raheem 7)Jed 8)Brock 9)Fred 10)Sean McVay
- Dieter: Keldric Faulk
- Me: Chris Brazzell II or Avieon Terrell or Akheem Mesidor
- 49ers: Zion Young
- Kyle: Akheem Mesidor
- John: Dillon Thienemann
- Raheem: Colton Hood
- Jed: Denzel Boston
- Brock: Kadyn Proctor
- Fred: Kayden McDonald
- Sean McVay: Denzel Boston”
