Barrows: 49ers draft crush: An offense that suddenly lacks YAC could use Omar Cooper Jr. (paywall)
“Cooper’s been getting a lot of Samuel comparisons in the run-up to the draft due to the 27 missed tackles he forced last season. That’s the most of any wide receiver in this year’s class and is six more than USC’s Makai Lemon, who’s expected to be taken in the middle of the first round.
Cooper, however, isn’t quite Deebo Deux. The latter plays at 225 pounds and is best getting up to speed and using
his heft like a wrecking ball. Cooper was roughly 25 pounds lighter at the NFL combine, where he ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 37 inches.
Cooper, meanwhile, has a deeper bag. Sure, he caught his fair share of quick-throw targets. And, yes, he worked mainly out of the slot last season. But that was due to injuries to Indiana’s other slot receivers. He played on the outside in 2024, was comfortable catching passes in traffic and had five drops total during his college career.
As a rookie, he could line up in the slot. Or outside. Or in the backfield, which the Hoosiers did on occasion last season. Or the 49ers could put him in motion before the snap, the way Shanahan used to do with Samuel.
Wherever Cooper lines up, he’ll help the 49ers get their YAC back.”
49ers signing former Bengals DE Cam Sample to one-year deal
“Over four active NFL seasons, Sample has played in 61 games with five starts, totaling 85 tackles, seven sacks, one pass defensed, and one forced fumble. He has also registered 26 quarterback hits and eight tackles for loss during his time in Cincinnati.”
49ers express interest in Texas CB Malik Muhammad ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
“In 2025, Muhammad recorded 30 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, and four passes defensed, earning second-team All-SEC honors.”
NFL draft prospect, Bay Area native Julian Neal determined to make a difference
“Since I was a kid, growing up in Bayview/Hunters Point, being able to see the old stadium from my window, seeing the fireworks and saying to myself, ‘That’s somewhere I want to be someday,’ ” Neal said.
Neal is a highly regarded cornerback who finished his college career at Arkansas after four years at Fresno State….
Neal (6-foot-2, 203 pounds) is a competitive, aggressive player who led Arkansas with 12 passes defended and two interceptions last season.
He is projected to be a mid-round selection, and could be in the mix for any of the 49ers’ four picks within the fourth round……Neal overcame tremendous odds to even receive a scholarship offer from Fresno State out of Mission High School. He became the first product of the San Francisco public school system to sign an FBS national letter of intent since Galileo defensive lineman Kyle Morgan (Miami) in 2001.”
Five local prospects 49ers should target in fourth round of 2026 NFL Draft
“Cornerback Hezekiah Masses is the kind of playmaker the 49ers do not currently have in the defensive backfield.
Masses is a cornerback who has great ball production.
He transferred from Florida International and took his game to another level in the ACC. Masses led FBS with 13 passes defended and five interceptions in his one and only season at Cal.
Masses will get his first shot at cornerback, but there are a number of ways he could be deployed at the next level.
Some teams might believe his highest ceiling is as a takeaway-generating safety.”
The War Room: The Final(ish) Countdown (paywall)
“1 prospect I’m higher on right now: Xavier Scott, S, Illinois: Scott played outside corner at Illinois, but that also led to some safety responsibilities, where he looks like a much more natural fit.
1 prospect I’m lower on right now: Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska: It’s awfully herky-jerky with him. I like the receiving upside, but he’s lacking a natural fluidity and feel that I want.”
