I don’t care which side of the ball. I don’t care if it’s interior or exterior. I don’t care if it’s a free agent or via trade. I don’t care if they’re better at pass rush, pass pro, run blocking, or run defense. We just need more DUDES!
Rant over. On to the links…
Schefter on 49ers TE George Kittle’s Week 1 return: ‘I don’t think it’s a given’
“But the 49ers may be very careful, and let’s see if he makes it back. I don’t think it’s a given, just yet.”
49ers insider believes Deebo Samuel wanted a return to San Francisco
“I do think Deebo had an interest in returning to the 49ers and was maybe even a little miffed that the 49ers so quickly signed Mike Evans as a free agent.”
49ers roster preview: Why Carver Willis needs a redshirt year
“There are plenty of traits to like about Willis. His hand placement and punch timing are above average, even if his hands can occasionally get a little wide — likely Willis overcompensating. He does a great job on combo blocks, can easily redirect, and moves more like a second-rounder than a fourth-rounder. Best of all, Willis competes through the whistle and will look to finish whoever he is blocking. He stays engaged, which is a valuable trait to have.
Some things happen to Willis that he cannot control. I saw one of the Ohio State players forklift him off the ground. Too often, his lack of length was problematic. And while changing directions isn’t an issue, the shorter arms allow defenders to close space on him, knowing that Willis won’t affect them…..
When I watched him, Willis looked like a player who needed more sand in his pants to hold up in pass protection.
Now, the 49ers could do different things upfront to hide him or minimize the number of 1-on-1s Willis gets. He was at his best when he was uncovered. When he could help somebody else out, or had help on combination blocks.
That’s a center. Foerster is probably correct in viewing Willis as a starter, but that’s likely in 2027 to replace Brendel and become the 49ers’ center of the future.
As a rookie, Willis should take advantage of a professional strength & conditioning program, as well as all of the nutrition that comes with being a pro. He’ll learn the ins and outs of playing a new position while going against NFL-quality linemen on the scout team.”
One thought on Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall and every player on the 49ers offense (paywall)
“Connor Colby: We’ll pencil in Colby as the team’s top left guard prospect, but we have to do it very lightly since several others are competing for that spot. Still, Colby logged 452 snaps at the position as a rookie last year and was in the top slot throughout spring drills.
Robert Jones: The most likely candidate to nudge Colby from the starting spot? It’s probably Jones, who started 17 games in a similar Dolphins offense in 2024 and has logged more than 2,000 offensive snaps in his career. Jones is coming off a neck injury that cost him the entire 2025 season.”
We gave 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch offseason advice. How well did they follow it? (Paywall)
“The 49ers did more than study their substation issue. They also spent $9 million to upgrade their training facilities and hired three additional physical therapists. That was a response to dissatisfaction players had expressed in the most recent NFLPA survey in which they grade their team in 11 categories.”
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