Brady didn’t end up with childhood faves

49ers fans had questions before, after and during free agency. The first one is included not to show my powers of prognostication, but to share my thoughts on what came to pass.

DO YOU THINK TOM BRADY COMES TO THE BAY? (@JAKOB_CHICO09)

Tampa Bay, you must mean. After two dynamic decades in New England, Brady arrives in the NFC, where the reigning champs are his childhood favorite, the 49ers. Brady will make the Bucs an immediate playoff threat. Wonder if any Brady-to-49ers pipe dream has a chance in a couple years. Would have been fun if he made a QB coup elsewhere, such as at the Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins or Washington.

NOW WITH HOPKINS IN THE WEST, WILL THE NINERS TRADE FOR A CORNERBACK OR EVENTUALLY SIGN ONE? (@CHUCHO_723)

Wide receiver Deandre Hopkins’ trade immediately upgrades the Arizona Cardinals. It also could mean (for you half-glass optimists) that Kyler Murray lingers in the pocket longer for a potential sack. Hopkins entering the NFC West won’t alone prompt the 49ers to upgrade at cornerback, not after the Super Bowl collapse already exposed their vulnerability. They should draft one.

WHAT DO YOU SEE THE NINERS DOING WITH THAT 13? GREAT VALUE, BUT WITH THAT AND NO. 31, MOVE UP FURTHER AND SNAG A SAFETY? MAYBE GRANT DELPIT? (@SHANE_SLO)

No, I can’t see them moving up in the first round for a safety, especially after resigning Jimmie Ward to a three-year contract Monday night.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO WITH THE 13TH OVERALL DRAFT PICK? (@ GERMANCUEVAA)

Assuming they don’t shop it to re-enter the second-through-fourth rounds, here are the positions that make the most sense: wide receiver, cornerback, offensive and defensive line.

A great receiver classes could trigger the 49ers to fetch a new target for Jimmy Garoppolo. Working against that receiver theory: In the past two drafts, they’ve spent high on Dante Pettis, Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd. We saw how a strong defensive line can carry a team, so adding a pillar to replace Buckner could be the call. At No. 31, how about the best offensive line available?

WHERE IS ALL THIS OBJ TALK COMING FROM? (@

PTROOPER87)

This chatter has been going a couple years. Last year, the 49ers pursued Odell Beckham Jr. but weren’t willing to ship two first-round picks to the New York Giants, who instead dealt him to the Cleveland Browns. Then, at midseason, the 49ers dealt thirdand fourth-round picks to Denver so Emmanuel Sanders could fill their veteranreceiver need, which again exists.

WAS KITTLE CONSIDERED TO BE TRADED INSTEAD OF DEFO? ESPECIALLY WITH THE TALK THE NINERS TRIED TO SIGN AUSTIN HOOPER? (@ PMALAN1979)

Trade Kittle? He’s more indispensable than anyone. It’s not surprising the 49ers pursued Hooper, who could have paired with Kittle in dynamic, two tight-end sets. Kittle, like Buckner, is entering the last year of his rookie deal but won’t command $21 million annually like Buckner did. Kittle’s extension should come before this season starts, otherwise the franchise tag is a 2021 option.

WHO STARTS IN PLACE OF DEFO? DO WE NEED TO FIND A GUY OR DOES SALEH HAVE ONE IN MIND? (@8AJRRR)

Barring the surprise signing in free agency or the use of a first-round pick, the 49ers likely will shuffle in incumbents, including Solomon Thomas, D.J.

Jones, Kentavius Street, Jullian Taylor, Kevin Givens and Sheldon Day, if the latter re-signs.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE TRISTIN WIRFS FOR THE 49ERS AT DRAFT PICK NO. 13? DUDE’S A BEAST. STALEY ISN’T GETTING ANY YOUNGER. (@MANUELV49)

Nope, don’t see it. Barring a surprise retreat into retirement, Joe Staley will be at left tackle for his 14th season, Mike Mcglinchey will man the right side for a third straight year, and their backups will be Justin Skule, Daniel Brunskill or the recently re-signed Shon Coleman.

WILL RONALD BLAIR BE READY FOR TRAINING CAMP? (@RAYMONDP33)

That is a fair assumption. He was running four months after ACL surgery, and his comeback is encouraging enough to draw a one-year contract Tuesday to re-sign for a 49ers defensive front that needs his depth at defensive end.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A DONUT (@JLAISIES)

One that is shaped like a maple bar. Otherwise, blueberry to make it seem a healthy choice, or sprinkles to relive my childhood.