NFL Draft Rumors: 49ers, Fournette, Hooker
Reportedly, the Browns could make LSU running back Leonard Fournette the top pick in this month’s draft. If that doesn’t happen, he could be a consideration for the 49ers at No. 2, Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com hears from sources with knowledge of the situation. The new regime, he hears, wants a big power back for the offense and they are not big believers in Carlos Hyde.
Here’s more from Pauline:
- Ohio State safety Malik Hooker won’t participate in any workouts for teams prior to the draft. Hooker had surgery to repair a labrum issue as well as a hernia, and he apparently won’t be healthy enough to audition in the next few weeks. Despite the setbacks, Hooker is widely projected as a top five prospect and almost universally considered to be a top ten guy. He’ll return to Indianapolis for the combine recheck on Thursday and that should give teams an indication of how much further he has to go in his recovery. Our first mock draft has Hooker going No. 6 overall to the Jets.
- Miami cornerback Corn Elder is also returning for the combine recheck. His 40-yard-dash time of 4.55 at the combine was a disappointment, but it turns out that he was held back by a groin issue. More recently at Miami’s pro day, however, Elder timed as fast as 4.38 seconds. He has drawn comparisons to Tyrann Mathieu of the Arizona Cardinals, but those close to him see Captain Munnerlyn as his NFL comp.
- Toledo defensive tackle Treyvon Hester is also scheduled to return to Indianapolis for a look at his surgically-repaired labrum. On the same day, he’ll audition on campus at Toledo for scouts and position coaches.
Kyle Shanahan On Releasing Tramaine Brock
- Cornerback Tramaine Brock was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence Thursday, and the 49ers released him Friday. Rookie head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed that decision Monday, saying (via Cam Inman of the Mercury News): “We spent the day trying to figure out all the information as much as you can. You never do get all of it, but there was enough there that we felt it was a decision we had to make and move on from (Brock).” The 49ers cut the eight-year veteran with a “failed physical” designation, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area (Twitter link).
Mike Purcell, Carl Bradford Sign ERFA Tenders
- Nose tackle Mike Purcell and linebacker Carl Bradford have signed their ERFA tenders with the 49ers, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. Purcell, the more experienced of the two, logged career-best totals in appearances (15), starts (five) and tackles (26) in 2016.
- The Raiders have waived defensive lineman Demetrius Cherry, according to James Palmer of NFL.com (Twitter link). Cherry signed with the 49ers last spring as an undrafted free agent from Arizona State. After the 49ers cut him prior to the season, he caught on with Oakland’s practice squad.
Draft Rumors: Watson, 49ers, Texans
Here’s a rundown of the latest NFL Draft news:
- Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is visiting the 49ers on Monday and Tuesday before meeting with the Cardinals on Wednesday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Niners, of course, own the No. 2 overall pick and the Cards are at No. 13.
- The Bills worked out UNC quarterback Mitch Trubisky on Sunday, a source tells Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Owner Terry Pegula was there, along with head coach Sean McDermott. In our mock draft from last week, Dallas Robinson has the Bills passing on Trubisky in order to take a wide receiver.
- The Texans worked out Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson on Friday before flying to the 49ers over the weekend. Next up is a Panthers workout on Tuesday (Twitter link via Rapoport). Carolina has already met with Robinson, so this could be a sign of serious interest. The Panthers own the No. 8 overall pick.
- Safety Jamal Adams, who had a strong showing at LSU’s Pro Day, is visiting the Panthers today (Monday), Rapoport tweets. Rapoport wonders aloud whether he’ll be available at No. 8.
- Pitt quarterback Nathan Peterman has workouts for Steelers, Bills, Chiefs, and Patriots, according to a source who spoke with Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle (on Twitter).
Tramaine Brock's Release Won't Alter 49ers' Draft Plans
- Releasing cornerback Tramaine Brock on Friday is unlikely to significantly affect the 49ers’ draft plans, observes Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. The team was already cognizant of its need at corner, per Wagoner, who notes that this year’s draft class includes plenty of promising prospects. Arguably the best of the bunch, Ohio State’s Marshon Lattimore, visited the 49ers on Wednesday.
Details On Tim Hightower's Contract
- Running back Tim Hightower‘s one-year deal with the 49ers is worth $1.107MM, including $300K guaranteed, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets. He can earn an extra $400K in incentives for rushing yards.
Jordan Willis Visits 49ers
- Kansas State defensive lineman Jordan Willis visited the 49ers on Wednesday, reports Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Willis figures to go late in the first round or early in the second, which could make him a target for the 49ers at No. 34 overall.
49ers Release Tramaine Brock
Less than a day after Tramaine Brock‘s arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence, the 49ers have released the cornerback, according to a team announcement. Brock could face up to a four-year prison sentence if found guilty.
San Francisco’s decision to cut ties with Brock seems to be indicative of a zero tolerance policy toward domestic violence from rookie general manager John Lynch. Regardless, it ends the stint of a long-tenured Niner in Brock, who had been with the team since it signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2010.
The 49ers increased their reliance on Brock over the past two years, as he started in all 31 of his appearances from 2015-16, including his first 16-start showing last season. Prior to 2015, he only started in nine of 49 games with the club. Across 80 appearances, Brock intercepted 11 passes and totaled 45 passes defensed.
Releasing Brock adds $3.55MM in cap room for the Niners this year and leaves them with $750K in dead money.
49ers’ Tramaine Brock Arrested
Police in Santa Clara, Calif., arrested 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock on suspicion of felony domestic violence on Thursday, per A.J. Perez of USA Today.
Officers responded to a domestic violence report and found “visible facial injuries” on the woman Brock is dating. Brock posted bail Friday, tweets the Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows, who notes that his roster spot is “tenuous.” Worse for Brock, he could serve a four-year prison sentence if found guilty of felony domestic violence.
The 28-year-old Brock has spent the first seven seasons of his career in San Francisco, which signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Brock has since started in 40 of 80 appearances and totaled 11 interceptions. He’s coming off his first 16-start season, in which he amassed a career-high 58 tackles, logged 14 passes defensed and picked off a pass. He also ranked 23rd in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 111 qualified corners.
Now, despite his impressive production last season, Brock’s 49ers tenure (if not his career) could be in jeopardy. Cutting Brock would save the 49ers the majority of his $4.3MM cap hit ($3.55MM), leaving them with just $750K in dead money.
49ers Sign LB Jayson DiManche
The 49ers announced the signing of linebacker Jayson DiManche. The journeyman did not play an NFL down in 2016.
We haven’t seen DiManche in live action since 2015. Even then, it was a one-game cameo with the Browns. Prior to that, he spent two seasons with the Bengals. He appeared in 28 total games for Cincinnati, appearing mostly on special teams. He has 29 total tackles to his credit over the course of his career.
At present, the Niners have 12 linebackers under contract. With the draft still on the horizon and many months to go before the start of the season, you can expect some shakeup in that area. DiManche’s deal, in all likelihood, does not include guaranteed cash.