Another offseason, another offseason soap opera involving a San Francisco 49ers wide receiver?
Yes, although the current one involving Deebo Samuel promises to be briefer than Brandon Aiyuk's long-running drama last year.
The 49ers owe Samuel a $15.4 million option bonus if he's still on the team on March 22, signaling he'll be dealt or released before that date.
So where does that leave the 49ers at wide receiver? That was the top question on readers' minds this week. Thanks for all the great questions, which as usual have been trimmed and edited for content.
With Samuel likely gone via trade, what is the likely route to finding his replacement: free agency, trade or the NFL Draft? -- Elvin P.
Without Samuel, the 49ers' top four receivers are Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing, with Aiyuk a question mark at the start of the season. The team didn't give Cowing many offensive snaps last season, but he can do some of the things -- screens, end arounds, etc. -- that Samuel's done.
As far as free agency, a lot of big-name players will be available. The 49ers probably would have acquired Amari Cooper last season if Aiyuk had been willing to go to the Cleveland Browns. Two players with Northern California ties -- Keenan Allen and Brandin Cooks -- also are available. Neither is a long-term solution but could bolster the receiving corps while Aiyuk recovers and Pearsall and Cowings continue to develop.
Finally, there's the draft. I asked our draft guru, Dane Brugler, whether there are any Deebo-like players this year. His reply: TCU's Savion Williams, who is 6 feet 4, 225 pounds. Here's Brugler:
Big, physical athlete who can roll. Explosive dude (his jumps at the combine should be impressive). OK receiving production. But they had him run a lot of Wildcat QB and lined up in the backfield, and it really opened up his versatility this year. It's not an apples-to-apples comparison to Deebo, but they are similar in their uniqueness as an extension of the run game, but he also has ability downfield. Reminds me of Cordarrelle Patterson. I gave him a fourth-round grade but wouldn't be surprised if he sneaks into Day 2 if someone has a clear vision for him.
With Samuel's likely departure, how do you feel about Cooper Kupp? Davante Adams? Tee Higgins? -- Tyler C.
The 49ers and Los Angeles Rams should just swap receivers who peaked in 2021: Samuel for Kupp.
As noted above, there are myriad options when it comes to receivers. We can probably cross out Higgins considering the amount of money it would take to sign him and what they've already committed to Aiyuk. Adams is a bit more intriguing considering his desire to play in California and presumably for a contender. However, all three California-based teams can make that claim.
When is Aiyuk projected to return? Midseason? -- George I.
No one has put a timeline on it yet. A very loose guide: Nick Bosa tore his ACL on Sept. 20, 2020, and began practicing in full by mid-August 2021. He didn't miss any starts that season. Aiyuk tore his ACL on Oct. 20. So my guess is he returns earlier than midseason.
If the Niners can get Myles Garrett for pick No. 11, a 2026 first-rounder and a mid-round pick this year, do they take it or build for the future at left tackle and a second-round pass rusher? -- Caleb S.
They'll probably at least look into Garrett. That's their style. If a top player is available -- see: Matthew Stafford, Christian McCaffrey -- they at least want to be part of the conversation and assess the opportunity.
And having a pass-rush duo of Garrett and Bosa would be a huge advantage. The Philadelphia Eagles, after all, just won a Super Bowl in large part because their edge rushers couldn't be blocked.
The flip side of the argument is that the Eagles' edge rushers weren't all that costly. Josh Sweat was a fourth-round pick in 2018 (the 49ers were interested in him then) who was on a one-year, $10 million deal in 2024. Jalyx Hunt was a late third-round pick in 2024.
This draft is deeper than most when it comes to edge rushers. The 49ers just have to find the right one.
In the Wide 9 defense, is it more important to have a star defensive end or defensive tackle? -- Joe M.
Yes.
I suppose if you had to choose between equally talented players, you'd go with the end. At least that's what Jim Washburn, the father of the Wide 9, suggested when I interviewed him about the system in 2019. If you don't have stout defensive ends, the system won't work. From that story:
(Washburn) said the ideal scenario was to have defensive ends who were explosive enough to provide heat off the edge in pass defense and powerful enough to handle tight ends and tackles in the running game.
"If you have 245 pounders, it ain't happening," he said. "When we were in Detroit, our one end was 6-5, 270 (pounds), the other was 6-6, 270. And they knocked the s -- out of the two tackles and everything funneled back inside to our linebackers."
For the draft, do you see the Niners searching for "the next Dee Ford" in terms of style and stature at edge? Or will they try to find a three-down edge like Shemar Stewart? -- Mason M.
They'd prefer a three-down type, which is why I mocked Texas A&M's Nic Scourton to them in the second round. Georgia's Mykel Williams is probably the best bet at pick No. 11 if the 49ers want to get their edge rusher then.
Of course, they did have success -- albeit brief success -- with Ford. If they're trying to replicate that, maybe they'll like Mike Green from Marshall. It'll be interesting to see which defensive ends visit in April.
Can you see any scenarios where the 49ers would trade up in the draft? -- Simon A.
Yes, if Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham got close to them, it might be worth giving up one of their third-round picks to move up.
Am I crazy or would Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at pick No. 11 not be shocking after seeing the value of elite RBs this year? -- Mark N.
I would not be shocked. But the most likely scenario would be another team -- Denver Broncos? Los Angeles Chargers? -- trading with the 49ers to get Jeanty at No. 11. There might be too many good running backs in the draft for that to happen, however.
I think it's safe to say the 2023 and 2022 draft classes (other than Brock Purdy) have been underwhelming. Other than Purdy, which players from those classes (if any) do the team still have high hopes for? -- Harry B.
They probably still believe Nick Zakelj, a sixth-round pick from 2022, can make an impact. He fared well at guard at the end of the season and will likely get a look at left guard -- maybe in a competition with free agent Ben Bartch -- this offseason should Aaron Banks sign elsewhere in free agency.
The 2023 class? There's Ji'Ayir Brown (third round), who likely will be back in a starter role if Talanoa Hufanga leaves via free agency.
At the very least, Dee Winters (sixth round) will be the strongside (No. 3) linebacker in 2025, and he has a shot at the every-down weakside position if Dre Greenlaw leaves.
The 49ers liked tight end Brayden Willis (seventh round) enough to keep him around last season. The upcoming year will be a make-or-break season for him.
Hey Matt, was there a feeling from the organization that Hufanga slow-played coming back to not risk his free agency? -- Trey A.
No, it seemed to be the opposite. He took a risk by playing with an injured wrist (that was protected by a cast).
This under-the-radar or underperforming (insert player name) is going to have a great season. I say cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. -- Andy T.
That's a good choice. Luter (a 2023 draft pick) was injured last season. We still don't know a lot about him. Some readers, including Tim Kawakami, will be able to predict my choice. After all, I'm a well-known Evan Anderson devotee.
What are the likely scenarios at linebacker if the 49ers don't re-sign Greenlaw? Any good free-agent fits from a talent and salary point of view? -- Brian P.
Well, Eric Kendricks -- whom they originally wanted to sign last year -- is available. (So is De'Vondre Campbell!)
The draft has some nice options in the middle rounds, including South Carolina's Demetrius Knight Jr., Ole Miss' Pooh Paul and Oregon's Jeffrey Bassa.
If you were the commissioner, how would you ideally organize the next six months? -- Nina A.
I'd flip the draft and free agency. Currently, there's an odd, two-month gap between the biggest pre-draft event -- the NFL Scouting Combine -- and the draft. I'd move the draft to the middle of March and free agency to the middle of April.
That would (a) eliminate the redundant pro days and needless travel for 30 visits that get so many rookies out of shape, (b) allow rookies to report to teams a month earlier to get a head start on learning the system and (c) put a greater emphasis on the combine.
Can I have my $63.9 million (Roger Goodell's reported salary) now?