Samuel questions and draft answers
Thanks for sliding into this 49ers mailbag ahead of the NFL Draft and/or franchise-shaking trade. All rubberneckers welcome. Here are the requests, er, questions submitted via Instagram and Twitter:
Q
Is there a sense of urgency to fix the Deebo situation before tomorrow's Day 1 of the draft? (@diehard49ersfans)
A
On Deebo Samuel's part, yes. On the 49ers', no. This is essentially Samuel's only shot at strong-arming the 49ers to trade him or rush payment on a contract extension. If an irreconcilable rift exists, then now is the time for the 49ers to command a lucrative package in return, before those high draft picks are used Thursday and Friday nights.
Q
Why do you think Deebo wants to leave so badly? (@anthonyhoward42)
A
If it's not money (my No. 1 suspect) and it's not his role (`versatility' is his real first name) and it's not location, location,
location (he scoffed at that anti-California rumor), then I don't know. Does he hold an unforgivable grudge against team brass? Is he offended they used a first-round pick on a receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, who might otherwise get
Samuel's money in a 2023 extension? Can any social media detective crack this case?
Q
Do you believe we will eventually have to trade Deebo? (@49ers_.edits._)
A
No. Play it again, Samuel.
Q
Is it possible the Niners will refuse to trade Deebo and are willing to have him sit out? (@morgon_holden)
A
Sure. He would invite nearly $93,000 in fees for skipping June's mandatory minicamp, then get docked $40,000 daily if he bypasses the month of minicamp. If he sits out, he would only be a restricted free agent next year, and teams have the franchise tag capability for three years.
What's going on with Jimmy G and a trade? (@taylorreade11)
AThe draft offers another mile marker in a race that paused with Garoppolo's March 8 shoulder surgery. He still is not cleared to throw. He should be by camp in three months. If a team (see: Panthers, Texans, Steelers, Falcons, Saints, Seahawks) is disenchanted by this draft's quarterbacks or their choice is gone, maybe they bid on Garoppolo. Maybe the 49ers' price drops so that a lowball offer won't look so bad amid draft night's distractions.
Q
Does Jimmy get traded to the Panthers on draft day? (@freestyle_03)
A
No. Coach Matt Rhule, two years into a seven-year pact, has enough time to draft and develop a quarterback. Everyone connects him to former recruit Kenny Pickett. Me? Malik Willis looks fascinating with his charisma and pass/run dynamic.
Q
What are your thoughts regarding Lynch's statement that (Garoppolo) salary didn't have any impact on their offseason approach? (@ skriptum3)
A
Believable, because money can be shifted around under the cap to create room for a big signing. More alarming was Lynch's explanation for the subdued offseason: “We've had the pedal down for five years. It was time to probably, on the whole, take a step back in terms of the amount of cash and cap we were spending.” Valid. But never a good look to cry poor.
Q
Name one veteran free agent the 49ers could sign before training camp. (@omarmirza511) A
Just one? Then it's safety Tyrann Mathieu, a three-time AllPro who won his lone Super Bowl ring against the 49ers two years ago. Want more names? Wide receivers Julio Jones and Jarvis Landry, center J.C. Tretter and cornerback Kyle Fuller.
Q
Who's your draft crush? (@alexm.06)
AI swore off the term “crush” 10 years ago, when Trent Baalke jilted my desire to draft Alshon Jeffery and selected a different A.J. (draft bust A.J. Jenkins). But, for you, I'll seek love again. And it's leading me, a Kennedy Junior High center in flag football, to my namesake, Cam Jurgens, a Nebraska center whose mobility resembles Kyle Juszczyk's.
Q
Do we have a shot at Christian Watson? (@ alexx.rodriguez1)
A Trey Lance's top target at North Dakota State is, without question, the 49ers Faithful's draft crush. Go Bison!
Q
Who's the best offensive linemen in this draft and do we select them with our first pick? (@paradise_vaovasa)
A
All due respect to my fellow centers and Notre Dame guards but offensive tackles are the best linemen almost every draft. The 49ers are set there. Trent Williams is anchored on the left. Mike McGlinchey's glowing update of his quadriceps repair should inspire hope for his 2022 comeback and long-term prognosis.
Q
Do you think the Niners stay put at No. 61 (overall) or package it to trade up? (@gsh25ch)
A
This regime can't sit still, so we've seen the past five drafts. Moving up to the first round may cost too much, barring a high pick via a Samuel trade. But climbing up into the top 50 for a draft crush is plausible.
Q
Should the Niners be focused on corners to draft? (@javi_suavi_)
A
No, last year's draft brought the duo of Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir, and free agency delivered their one big-ticket item in Charvarius Ward. More help will come, but the focus belongs elsewhere, like on the offensive line's interior, on edge rushers and on wide receivers.
Q
Do you think it's 50/50 that Deebo gets traded? (@devildawg0801)
A
I last thought anything was 50/50 when the 49ers were debating between Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. That cleared up for me on the eve of the 2005 draft when I finally caught wind of Smith's selection (and later saw Rodgers bummed out at a predraft party in New York).
Q
Aiyuk receiving yards prediction? (@rdemangos13)
A
He'll clear 1,000 yards with or without Samuel on the roster.
Q
Yard/TD prediction with Lance throwing the rock? (@_heypeterparker)
A
Passing: 3,800 yards, 26 touchdowns. Rushing: 900 yards, 7 touchdowns.
Q
Not a question but just want Niner Faithful to know there's too much hate toward Deebo. (@j_smoovie)
A
It's not healthy to have a love crush on hatred, folks.
Q
No question but just hopeful Deebo stays with SF in 2022. (@ jbati_805)
A
“The miserable have no other medicine, but only hope.” — William Shakespeare