© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
It is the peak of the NFL offseason, a desert normally occupied by the NBA playoffs and summer baseball with OTAs and other offseason team activities providing hints of hints of glimpses at what training camp may look like. None of that is the case in this utterly bizarre year.
Sam G. asks via Instagram: Will the 49ers carry 6 or 7 wide receivers?
The most popular question, outside of a Kittle extension, was about the 49ers’ wide receiver competition. That was before Deebo Samuel underwent surgery for a Jones fracture and Richie James Jr. fractured his wrist. My initial view of the wide receiving group, as I wrote about here, was that much depends on how Kyle Shanahan views Jalen Hurd. If he’s viewed as an offensive weapon or FLEX option, where he would play as much at tight end as at wide receiver, then it would be seven.
Now, with Samuel and James’ injuries, I don’t think all that much changes except for the consideration that both can be placed on the physically unable to perform list and make the roster that way. I was low on James’ chances to make the roster from the outset because he’s a poor returner and the 49ers, despite some flashes in camp, did not seem interested in using James all that much as a slot option.
I would expect that the final roster includes seven wide receivers, depending on the team’s view of Hurd. I expect Jauan Jennings will be placed on the practice squad, which, due to new rule changes, would actually leave him available for gamedays and then allow him to be placed back on the practice squad. The seven would be: Kendrick Bourne, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Taylor, Jalen Hurd, Travis Benjamin and Dante Pettis. Hurd allows the 49ers to take three tight ends.
Nick V. asks via Facebook: When can we expect a George Kittle extension to be done?
This, or some version of this, is the most commonly asked question here. Short answer: I don’t know. The 49ers don’t know. George Kittle and his agent don’t know. Kittle could be asking for elite wide receiver money, as he should, anywhere from about $18-20 million per year, and San Francisco is probably reminding them he’s a tight end, where the highest average salary is about $11 million per year, and he isn’t getting surgery on a torn labrum. They’re probably hoping to get him around $13-14 million, which is to say, there’s a substantial and natural gap that both sides will have to work through.
I believe it will get get done this summer, but it’s not absurd to imagine it doesn’t. It likely will get done at some point, and I’d guess they settle somewhere around the $16 million range per year.
Richard H. asks via Facebook: Are we all going to be able to be in our seats on opening day?
No. Maybe the NFL devises a way to get some of the box seats available and sets up sections in a manner that limits its capacity, but it’s more likely than not that no fans are allowed in. And if they are, it won’t be everyone.
Kevin Z. asks via Facebook: Any chance Sherman and Witherspoon are gone after the year and Williams and Moseley are the starting corners or is size too inhibitive of that? I would generally expect Moseley to play more than Witherspoon this year anyway, right?
Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, K’Waun Williams, Jaquiski Tartt and Emmanuel Moseley (restricted) are all up for new deals next year. More than likely, Moseley stays, but not everyone from that group. Williams is a nickel, and there’s no reason to believe if he re-signs that he’d move to a standard outside corner spot. I would expect, given that they haven’t been able to find a suitable replacement, that Tartt is also back, but one of Sherman or Witherspoon are gone. Obviously much of that depends on health and market value.
My expectation is that Moseley wins the starting job from Witherspoon in camp, though that’s far from a given, and Witherspoon still has the higher ceiling. There’s a scenario in which the 49ers retain all of those expiring players, and a scenario in which most leave. It’s too early to tell, but Moseley is definitely a long-term corner option if he builds upon his performance from last year.
Tom M. asks via Facebook: Could Kaepernick be use in a role similar to Taysom Hill in New Orleans? Sort of a multi use player.
Not for the 49ers and probably not for any team — not that he’s incapable of it. He has the requisite athleticism to play that role, but it would be disrespectful to say, “Hey, come back to the league, but you’re going to be a gadget player now.” I can’t fathom that happening. If he returns, it’s likely as a backup quarterback with a chance to start.
Justin R. asks via Facebook: Will Kittle, Trent Williams and Sherman get a new deal before the season starts?
The Kittle deal is the most likely to get done before the year. It seems unlikely that either Williams or Sherman gets a deal done before the start of the season. Williams has said he’s content to play out this final year and seek to rebuild his value before free agency, and Sherman is getting to an age where every season is more and more temperamental, especially after his Achilles injury. I’d imagine both negotiations would come during the year or, more likely, next offseason.
FamilyBulldog asks via Instagram: Who is the one player we cannot afford to lose this year?
The obvious answers are Nick Bosa and George Kittle, with Kittle being the most indispensable, especially given the limited tight end options the 49ers have. That’s not a fun answer, but it’s Kittle, with Bosa second. A sleeper option is Jaquiski Tartt.
Alec H. asks via Instagram: Why doesn’t the team want to trade Nick Mullens?
Short answer: He’s better than some starting quarterbacks, and if Jimmy Garoppolo gets injured, the 49ers still have a chance to make a playoff push. Whatever Kyle Shanahan tells Nick Mullens to do, Mullens will do.
Connor D. asks via Instagram: Will there be a training camp? And if so when?
Yes, it’s scheduled for July 28. Joint practices won’t be allowed and teams, like the Raiders, that have traditionally held it in alternative locations won’t be allowed to. There, of course, is the very real possibility that training camp gets delayed, but the NFL will work relentlessly to prevent that from happening. Once training camp gets pushed back, so too does the entire schedule. They’ve built it in a way where the second through fifth games of the season can effectively be scrapped if needed, but until a vulnerable coach/staffer gets sick or the majority of a team gets Covid-19, expect the NFL to try to maintain that timeline.
Azaz asks via Instagram: Are there any other possible signings?
Yes, but only of the bargain-basement variety. A veteran tight end, edge rusher, linebacker or strong safety are options.
David M. asks via Instagram: Who will step up and become a #1 receiver other than Kittle?
Deebo Samuel. If Samuel is out, it’ll be Kendrick Bourne, Aiyuk or Hurd. Of those three, Hurd might be the best option to take the receiving load off him, though Charlie Woerner shouldn’t be underestimated; he has the same foundation as Kittle in that he’s a tremendous, willing blocker with high athletic upside and projectable receiving capability despite limited receiving reps in college.
Thomas W. asks via Instagram: Who do you think the 49ers to watch are this upcoming season?
Jalen Hurd, Mike McGlinchey, Brandon Aiyuk, Javon Kinlaw. Kinlaw and Aiyuk are the obvious names, and Hurd is probably the most intriguing player on the team given that he showed glimpses of defense-terrifying potential before losing the season to a stress fracture in his back. He could play at tight end if healthy and can be used in a variety of roles. He is brutish in the trenches and thrives on contact and conflict. Put brusquely: He’ll be a genuine pain in the ass of every nickel who has the misfortune of trying to jam him at the line or face him on run downs. McGlinchey, meanwhile, is entering a year in which he should be making a substantial leap. He had two years of Joe Staley’s tutelage, dealt with a serious injury for effectively the first time in his life, and his knowledge for the game has increased monumentally. He should be pushing for Pro Bowl talk (a lame accolade, but it’s the only thing below All-Pro) this year.
Rays asks via Instagram: Which 49er will have a breakout season this upcoming year?
See above: Hurd and McGlinchey.
Mr. C asks via Instagram: Do you think Jalen Hurd can be a key factor in Kyle Shanahan’s offense?
Again, yes. If he’s healthy, his ceiling is as high as anyone on the team. His size, athleticism, physicality. If if if he’s healthy, I genuinely do not know how teams will defend him if he’s on the field along with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. He needs to develop some route-running polish, but he’s shifty enough to develop that.
Paul J. asks via Instagram: How do you see Shanahan utilizing the combination of Samuel and Aiyuk?
Lots and lots and lots of backfield motion. Orbit motion, ghost motion and the old jet motion. They’ll have the ball in their hands in a number of unique ways, whether it’s on a motion and quick handoff, direct snap, screen, shovel or short slants. Both have yards-after-catch nightmare potential, and given that it’s Aiyuk’s first season with an abbreviated preseason and Samuel will be coming back from an injury, he’ll likely give them a number of simple route concepts to follow early in the year.
JB asks via Instagram: Will Jed ever sell?
He’s more popular than he’s ever been, coming off a Super Bowl loss and with the most stable regime he’s ever overseen. I have no idea why he’d even think about it. But in terms of “ever,” sure, maybe. “Ever” is a long time, you know.
Joe asks via Instagram: Still in the market for a backup tight end: Delanie Walker/Jordan Reed type or rolling with what we got?
I looked at some options here, back in April. I think Reed’s career is probably, or at least should be, over, but someone like Walker might be worth a shot on the 49ers’ end. They only have four tight ends, and two of them are rookies. They might need another body there for camp.
Gooze asks via Instagram: What are they gonna do with the two backup QBs?
Keep them. Both Mullens and C.J. Beathard makes the roster and Broc Rutter goes on the practice squad and takes over as the No. 3 next season after Beathard’s contract expires.
Mr. C asks via Instagram: Will we have a frigging season?
Yes. The NFL is far too stubborn to let a little global pandemic get in its way. Seriously, I cannot fathom the NFL canceling the season. Among every professional sports league, it’s had the most time to follow data and develop a plan. It’s also the most profitable league and I can’t see the league’s brass allowing a work stoppage.