Niners Nation
Your daily San Francisco 49ers news for Thursday, April 17th, 2026
49ers need a linebacker. Can their late-round draft success yield a new starter? (paywall)
“The 49ers have reportedly used one of their 30 predraft visits to host Ole Miss’ Chris Paul, an undersize linebacker (6-1, 222) who spent his first three seasons at Arkansas and ran a just OK 40 (4.63 seconds) after a career marked by a relentless playing style.
In 2024, his lone season at Ole Miss, Paul was a third-team All-American and finalist for the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation’s top linebacker. Paul had a career-best 88 tackles, including 11 behind the line of scrimmage. Paul is a projected mid-round pick, the area of the draft in which the 49ers selected Greenlaw and Fred Warner, a third-rounder in 2018.
Another potential mid-round target is Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa (6-1, 228), a four-year starter who shares Paul’s size and speed (40-yard dash: 4.63 seconds). Lynch was among the 49ers’ contingent at Oregon’s pro day and reportedly had a long conversation with Bassa, who was voted the National Team’s top linebacker at the Senior Bowl.”
Brugler’s 7-round mock draft: 49ers reinforce trenches, find Dre Greenlaw replacement early
49ers hosting top draft prospects Josh Simmons, James Pearce Jr., others today
“The team previously met with Pearce at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.”
“Several additional names have since surfaced. These players either visited on Wednesday or have recently wrapped up their visits with the 49ers. The group includes two offensive linemen, a wide receiver, a linebacker, and a cornerback.”
“The 49ers signed Alarcón to a reserve/future contract in January 2024. The Dallas Cowboys waived him during their final roster cuts ahead of the 2023 season. While he has been active in practices, Alarcón has yet to appear in a regular-season game.”
