Draft goal to help QB Lance is achieved
SANTA CLARA >> The 49ers absolutely avoided a firstround bust this draft ... because they did not make a pick in Thursday night's main event in Las Vegas.
They'd spent that firstround equity in last year's package to move up for the No. 3 overall pick and quarterback Trey Lance.
So, yes, Lance certainly could dictate how this season and the 49ers' future unfolds.
This weekend's goal was to fortify Lance's supporting cast and position themselves for at least a third NFC championship game in four seasons.
Offensively, they added a speed receiver, an extra running back, two projects on the offensive line, and, with the draft's final pick, quarterback Brock Purdy.
Lance did not invade the draft room this weekend to see how things unfolded. But coach Kyle Shanahan endorsed the 49ers' selections. “I do think there are players who can help Trey and our whole offense,” Shanahan said. “I'm excited about the defensive players we added, too.”
More reinforcements are coming with veteran free agents, most likely at safety and center.
Their defense got help in the front with edge rusher Drake Jackson in the second round, plus two cornerbacks in Saturday's final rounds.
No stunning trade unfolded, be it with Deebo Samuel or Jimmy Garoppolo or even one spot up or down the board among their nine picks. General manager John Lynch stated that the 49ers fielded no further calls Saturday about Samuel, adding: “Nothing's changed.”
BEST MOVE: SAMUEL STAYS >> By not trading the disgruntled Samuel, this qualifies as the 49ers' best tactic this weekend and presumably this offseason. Shanahan said no offer “was even remotely close” to the 49ers' demands.
Curiously, Shanahan said Friday he hasn't spoken to Samuel in a couple of weeks. Maybe the 49ers' coach should get an Instagram account and slide into Samuel's DMs. JACKSON-BOSA LINE >> The 49ers' top picks hit areas of need Friday: edge rusher (Jackson, USC), running back depth (Tyrion Davis-Price, LSU), and, deepthreat receiver (Danny Gray, SMU).
Was pass rusher their top need? Isn't it always? Jackson can't wait to hit quarterbacks with Nick Bosa, who had 15 1/2 sacks last season.
“I hope he is as excited to be my teammate as I am to be his,” Jackson said. “As soon as I get out there, I might try to find him and get a handshake from him and workout or something.
Jackson may have to wait a bit. Bosa is skipping the 49ers' offseason program to work out in his native Florida. Added Jackson: “He's literally a gremlin on the side. He's a monster.
He puts fear into tackles' eyes, and I just want to be the same way.”
RUNNING BACK COMBO >> Davis-Price may have been a third-round surprise, because the 49ers also drafted Trey Sermon in that round last year before unearthing 2021 leading rusher Elijah Mitchell in the sixth round. Davis-Price envisions he and Mitchell “making a one-two punch and dominating.”
Shanahan bluntly summed up his perennial mantra: “We're a running team.”
“The more guys you can add the better, but kind of the physicality that (DavisPrice) brings gives you a chance to have a very physical one-two punch,” Shanahan said. “I thought Deebo helped us do that towards the end of last year bringing that in, but you don't want that to be just your one-two punch.”
CORNERBACK RIVALS/ FRIENDS >> Like 2021 thirdround pick Ambry Thomas, fellow cornerback Sam Womack hails from Detroit, where they were high school rivals. Womack (fifth round) doubled as a 1,000yard receiver and 11-interception defensive back his senior year in 2016. In one meeting, Womack had 11 catches, 183 yards and two touchdowns for East English Village Prep, but it was Thomas' interception that clinched a win for King.
“Me and him have a good relationship. That's my man and my brother,” Womack said. “We played twice a year. They got the best of us but in our matchups, me vs. him, I got the best of him.”
HELP WANTED? >> In bypassing centers, safeties and tight ends, the 49ers have room for proven veterans who are languishing in free agency. Shanahan said the 49ers are willing to sign anyone immediately, if the price is right. They entered the draft with 22 spots vacant on their 90man roster.
On the radar at these positions: safety Tyrann Mathieu; center J.C. Tretter, Trey Hopkins; cornerback Jason Verrett, Chris Harris, Kyle Fuller, Joe Haden, Trae Waynes; wide receiver Jarvis Landry, Will Fuller; tight end Eric Ebron, Jared Cook, Kyle Rudolph.