Niners Nation
After spurning 49ers, could linebacker Eric Kendricks assume Fred Warner’s spot? (paywall)
“UCLA assembled a six-person search committee that included distinguished alums this fall before interviewing candidates for its opening for a head football coach.
The group included former Warriors general manager Bob Myers, Commanders general manager Adam Peters, entertainment executive Casey Wasserman and longtime NFL linebacker Eric Kendricks, 33, who initially wondered whether he belonged and was “timid” about offering his opinion. But the three-time UCLA captain who won the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker, quickly realized his input was coveted.
“It was an extreme honor,” Kendricks said.“
Dane Brugler’s 2024 Draft Analysis of Javon Barker (paywall)
“After he struggled to see offensive snaps in his two seasons at Alabama, he transferred to UCF and led the team in receiving in 2023, ranking No. 2 in the FBS in yards per catch (21.9).
Baker is a good-sized athlete with explosive flashes to create on YAC-designed plays (tunnels, swing screens, etc.) or win deep (his 21 catches of 20-plus yards in 2023 ranks fourth best in the draft class, behind Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and Malik Washington).
He can make some wild catches with his body control and length, but the drops and inconsistencies at the catch point can be maddening.
Overall, Baker is a loose-striding athlete with ball-tracking skills, although his tape is full of inefficiencies and question marks that didn’t allow him to consistently showcase his talent. He projects as a developmental Z receiver with starting upside.“
How rookie QB Kurtis Rourke could determine Mac Jones’ future with 49ers
“Rourke, 25, played six seasons of college football. After five years at the University of Ohio, he transferred to Indiana. He finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting after throwing for 3,042 yards with 29 touchdowns and five interceptions last year.”
49ers roster moves: Practice squad tweaks signal Eddy Piñeiro’s return
“Piñeiro has been sidelined since suffering a Grade 1 right hamstring strain on November 16 against the Arizona Cardinals.”
49ers add YAC threat in new 2026 NFL mock draft “”[Texas A&M WR KC] Concepcion is averaging more than 7.0 yards after the catch this year and has that kind of acceleration and athleticism,” Sikkema noted.“
