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49ers’ Malik Mustapha Could Miss Start Of 2025 Season

April 27th, 2025 at 4:45pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The 49ers dealt with a multitude of injuries throughout the 2024 season, and one more has just come to light.

Safety Malik Mustapha injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Week 18, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, which required surgery and a lengthy recovery that could stretch into the 2025 season. The 2024 fourth-rounder previously tore the same ACL in college; this injury was a tear to the graft from the reparative procedure in 2022. It is not believed to have impacted other parts of his knee.

Mustapha is progressing well through his rehab process at the 49ers’ team facility, but he is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. He returned from his January 2022 injury to play 10 games in the 2023 college football season, indicating that he should have a chance at a midseason return to the field this fall.

The 49ers’ will need to replace the 756 snaps Mustapha played as a rookie, primarily at free safety. They drafted two defensive backs this weekend – Western Kentucky’s Upton Stout and Kansas State’s Marques Sigle – but both spent most of their time in the slot in college. Instead, veterans Richie Grant, Jason Pinnock, George Odum could start the season at safety alongside 2023 third-rounder Ji’Ayir Brown.

2025 NFL Draft Results By Round

April 26th, 2025 at 8:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2025 NFL Draft:

Round 1

1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
2) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns): Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
3) New York Giants: Abdul Carter (OLB, Penn State)
4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell (T, LSU)
5) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
6) Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
7) New York Jets: Armand Membou (T, Missouri)
8) Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
9) New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr. (T, Texas)
10) Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
11) San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)
12) Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
13) Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
14) Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
15) Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
16) Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
18) Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel (OL, North Dakota State)
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
20) Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
23) Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
24) Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
25) New York Giants (from Texans): Jaxson Dart, QB (Ole Miss)
26) Atlanta Falcons (from Rams): James Pearce (DE, Tennessee)
27) Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
28) Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)
29) Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr. (T, Oregon)
30) Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
31) Philadelphia Eagles (from Chiefs): Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
32) Kansas City Chiefs (from Eagles): Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State)

Round 2

33) Cleveland Browns: Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA)
34) Houston Texans (from Giants): Jayden Higgins (WR, Iowa State)
35) Seattle Seahawks (from Titans): Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
36) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State)
37) Miami Dolphins (from Raiders): Jonah Savaiinaea (G, Arizona)
38) New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
39) Chicago Bears (from Panthers): Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
40) New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough (QB, Louisville)
41) Buffalo Bills (from Bears): T.J. Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
42) New York Jets: Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
43) San Francisco 49ers: Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
44) Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE, Boston College)
45) Indianapolis Colts: J.T. Tuimoloau (DE, Ohio State)
46) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Terrance Ferguson (TE, Oregon)
47) Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
48) Houston Texans (from Dolphins through Raiders): Aireontae Ersery (T, Minnesota)
49) Cincinnati Bengals: Demetrius Knight (LB, South Carolina)
50) Seattle Seahawks: Elijah Arroyo (TE, Miami)
51) Carolina Panthers (from Broncos): Nic Scourton (DE, Texas A&M)
52) Tennessee Titans (from Steelers through Seahawks): Femi Oladejo (OLB, UCLA)
53) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
54) Green Bay Packers: Anthony Belton, T (NC State)
55) Los Angeles Chargers: Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss)
56) Chicago Bears (from Vikings through Texans and Bills): Ozzy Trapilo (T, Boston College)
57) Detroit Lions (from Panthers through Rams and Broncos): Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
58) Las Vegas Raiders (from Texans): Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
59) Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green (OLB, Marshall)
60) Denver Broncos (from Lions): R.J. Harvey (RB, Central Florida)
61) Washington Commanders: Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
62) Chicago Bears (from Bills): Shemar Turner (DT, Texas A&M)
63) Kansas City Chiefs: Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee)
64) Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Mukuba (S, Texas)

Round 3

65) New York Giants: Darius Alexander (DT, Toledo)
66) Kansas City Chiefs (from Titans): Ashton Gillotte (DE, Louisville)
67) Cleveland Browns: Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green)
68) Las Vegas Raiders: Darien Porter (CB, Iowa State)
69) New England Patriots: Kyle Williams (WR, Washington State)
70) Detroit Lions (from Jaguars): Isaac TeSlaa (WR, Arkansas)
71) New Orleans Saints: Vernon Broughton (DT, Texas)
72) Buffalo Bills (from Bears): Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas)
73) New York Jets: Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State)
74) Denver Broncos (from Panthers): Pat Bryant (WR, Illinois)
75) San Francisco 49ers: Nick Martin (LB, Oklahoma State)
76) Dallas Cowboys: Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
77) Carolina Panthers (from Patriots): Princely Umanmielen (OLB, Ole Miss)
78) Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Burch (OLB, Oregon)
79) Houston Texans (from Dolphins through Eagles via Commanders): Jaylin Noel (WR, Iowa State)
80) Indianapolis Colts: Justin Walley (CB, Minnesota)
81) Cincinnati Bengals: Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia)
82) Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks): Kevin Winston (S, Penn State)
83) Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa)
84) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jacob Parrish (CB, Kansas State)
85) Kansas City Chiefs from Broncos through Panthers and Patriots): Nohl Williams (CB, Cal)
86) Los Angeles Chargers: Jamaree Caldwell (DT, Oregon)
87) Green Bay Packers: Savion Williams (WR, TCU)
88) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings): Caleb Ransaw (CB, Tulane)
89) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Texans): Wyatt Milum (G, West Virginia)
90) Los Angeles Rams: Josaiah Stewart (OLB, Michigan)
91) Baltimore Ravens: Emery Jones (T, LSU)
92) Seattle Seahawks (from Lions through Jets via Raiders): Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama)
93) New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Jonas Sanker (S, Virginia)
94) Cleveland Browns (from Bills): Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon)
95) New England Patriots (from Chiefs): Jared Wilson (C, Georgia)
96) Atlanta Falcons (from Eagles): Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
97) Houston Texans (from Vikings)*: Jaylin Smith (CB, USC)
98) Las Vegas Raiders (from Dolphins)*: Caleb Rogers (G, Texas Tech)
99) Las Vegas Raiders (from Giants through Texans)*: Charles Grant (T, William & Mary)
100) San Francisco 49ers*: Upton Stout (CB, Western Kentucky)
101) Denver Broncos (from Rams through Falcons and Eagles)*: Sai’Vion Jones (DE, LSU)
102) Minnesota Vikings (from Lions through Jaguars and Texans)*: Tai Felton (WR, Maryland)

Round 4

103) Tennessee Titans: Chimere Dike (WR, Florida)
104) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns): Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Virginia Tech)
105) New York Giants: Cameron Skattebo (RB, Arizona State)
106) New England Patriots: Craig Woodson (S, Cal)
107) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jack Kiser (LB, Notre Dame)
108) Las Vegas Raiders: Dont’e Thornton (WR, Tennessee)
109) Buffalo Bills (from Bears through Bills and Bears): Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky)
110) New York Jets: Arian Smith (WR, Georgia)
111) Philadelphia Eagles (from Panthers through Broncos): Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska)
112) New Orleans Saints: Danny Stutsman (LB, Oklahoma)
113) San Francisco 49ers: CJ West (DT, Indiana)
114) Carolina Panthers (from Cowboys): Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia)
115) Arizona Cardinals: Cody Simon (LB, Ohio State)
116) Houston Texans (from Dolphins): Woody Marks (RB, USC)
117) Los Angeles Rams (from Colts): Jarquez Hunter (RB, Arizona)
118) Atlanta Falcons: Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma)
119) Cincinnati Bengals: Barrett Carter (LB, Clemson)
120) Tennessee Titans (from Seahawks): Gunnar Helm (TE, Texas)
121) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: David Walker (OLB, Central Arkansas)
122) Carolina Panthers (from Broncos): Lathan Ransom (S, Ohio State)
123) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jack Sawyer (OLB, Ohio State)
124) Green Bay Packers: Barryn Sorrell (DE, Texas)
125) Los Angeles Chargers: Kyle Kennard (OLB, South Carolina)
126) Cleveland Browns (from Vikings through Jaguars): Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee)
127) Indianapolis Colts (from Rams): Jalen Travis (T, Iowa State)
128) Washington Commanders (from Texans): Jaylin Lane (WR, Virginia Tech)
129) Baltimore Ravens: Teddye Buchanan (LB, Cal)
130) New York Jets (from Lions, Broncos and Eagles): Malachi Moore (S, Alabama)
131) New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Quincy Riley (CB, Louisville)
132) Chicago Bears (from Bills): Ruban Hyppolite (LB, Maryland)
133) Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State)
134) Denver Broncos (from Eagles through Lions and Eagles): Que Robinson (OLB, Alabama)
135) Las Vegas Raiders (from Dolphins)*: Tonka Hemingway (DT, South Carolina)
136) Tennessee Titans (from Ravens)*: Elic Ayomanor (WR, Stanford)
137) New England Patriots (from Seahawks)*: Joshua Farmer (DT, Florida State)
138) San Francisco 49ers*: Jordan Watkins (WR, Ole Miss)

Round 5

139) Minnesota Vikings (from Browns): Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (DT, Georgia)
140) Carolina Panthers (from Giants): Cam Jackson (DT, Florida)
141) Baltimore Ravens (from Titans): Carson Vinson (T, Alabama A&M)
142) Seattle Seahawks (from Jaguars through Texans and Vikings): Rylie Mills (DT, Notre Dame)
143) Miami Dolphins (from Raiders): Jordan Phillips (DT, Maryland)
144) Cleveland Browns (from Patriots through Seahawks): Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
145) Philadelphia Eagles (from Jets): Mac McWilliams (CB, Central Florida)
146) New England Patriots (from Panthers): Bradyn Swinson (OLB, LSU)
147) San Francisco 49ers (from Saints through Commanders): Jordan James (RB, Oregon)
148) Los Angeles Rams (from Bears): Ty Hamilton (DT, Ohio State)
149) Dallas Cowboys: Jaydon Blue (RB, Texas)
150) Miami Dolphins: Jason Marshall (CB, Florida)
151) Indianapolis Colts: DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State)
152) Dallas Cowboys (from Cardinals): Shemar James (LB, Florida)
153) Cincinnati Bengals: Jalen Rivers (T, Miami)
154) New York Giants (from Seahawks): Marcus Mbow (G, Purdue)
155) Miami Dolphins (from Broncos): Dante Trader (S, Maryland)
156) Kansas City Chiefs (from Steelers): Jeffrey Bassa (LB, Oregon)
157) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Elijah Roberts (OLB, SMU)
158) Los Angeles Chargers: KeAndre Lambert-Smith (WR, Auburn)
159) Green Bay Packers: Collin Oliver (DE, Oklahoma State)
160) San Francisco 49ers (from Vikings): Marques Sigle (S, Kansas State)
161) Philadelphia Eagles (from Texans): Smael Mondon (LB, Georgia)
162) New York Jets (from Rams through Steelers): Francisco Mauigoa (LB, Miami)
163) Carolina Panthers (from Ravens): Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame)
164) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Lions through Browns, Eagles and Chiefs): Yahya Black (DE, Iowa)
165) Los Angeles Chargers (from Commanders through Eagles): Oronde Gadsden II (TE, Syracuse)
166) Seattle Seahawks (from Bills through Texans and Browns): Tory Horton (WR, Colorado State)
167) Tennessee Titans (from Chiefs): Jackson Slater (G, Sacramento State)
168) Philadelphia Eagles: Drew Kendall (C, Boston College)
169) Chicago Bears (from Bills)*: Zah Frazier (CB, Texas-San Antonio)
170) Buffalo Bills (from Cowboys)*: Jordan Hancock (CB, Ohio State)
171) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys through Patriots)*: Miles Frazier (G, LSU)
172) Los Angeles Rams (from Seahawks through Vikings)*: Chris Paul Jr. (LB, Ole Miss)
173) Buffalo Bills*: Jackson Hawes (TE, Georgia Tech)
174) Arizona Cardinals (from Cowboys)*: Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State)
175) Seattle Seahawks*: Robbie Ouzts (TE, Alabama)
176) New York Jets (from Ravens)*: Tyler Baron (DE, Miami)

Round 6

177) Buffalo Bills (from Giants): Dorian Strong (CB, Virginia Tech)
178) Baltimore Ravens (from Titans): Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan)
179) Miami Dolphins (from Browns through Texans): Ollie Gordon (RB, Oklahoma State)
180) Las Vegas Raiders: J.J. Pegues (DT, Ole Miss)
181) Philadelphia Eagles (from Patriots through Chargers): Kyle McCord (QB, Syracuse)
182) New England Patriots (from Jaguars through Lions): Andres Borregales (K, Miami)
183) Tennessee Titans (from Panthers through Ravens): Marcus Harris (CB, Cal)
184) New Orleans Saints (reacquired through Commanders): Devin Neal (RB, Kansas)
185) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Bears through Seahawks): Will Howard (QB, Ohio State)
186) Baltimore Ravens (from Jets): Tyler Loop (K, Arizona)
187) Houston Texans (from 49ers through Vikings): Jaylen Reed (S, Penn State)
188) Tennessee Titans (from Cowboys): Kalel Mullings (RB, Michigan)
189) Indianapolis Colts: Riley Leonard (QB, Notre Dame)
190) Indianapolis Colts (from Falcons through Rams): Tim Smith (DT, Alabama)
191) Philadelphia Eagles (from Cardinals through Broncos): Myles Hinton (OL, Michigan)
192) Seattle Seahawks (from Dolphins through Bears): Bryce Cabeldue (G, Kansas)
193) Cincinnati Bengals: Tahj Brooks (RB, Texas Tech)
194) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Seahawks): Jalen McLeod (LB, Auburn)
195) Chicago Bears (from Steelers and Rams): Luke Newman (G, Michigan State)
196) Detroit Lions (from Buccaneers): Ahmed Hassanein (OLB, Boise State)
197) Houston Texans (from Broncos): Graham Mertz (QB, Florida)
198) Green Bay Packers: Warren Brinson (DT, Georgia)
199) Los Angeles Chargers: Branson Taylor (G, Pittsburgh)
200) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Vikings through Browns): Rayuan Lane (S, Navy)
201) Minnesota Vikings (from Rams): Kobe King (LB, Penn State)
202) Minnesota Vikings (from Texans through Steelers, Bears and Rams): Gavin Bartholomew (TE, Pittsburgh)
203) Baltimore Ravens: LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado)
204) Dallas Cowboys (from Lions through Browns via Bills): Ajani Cornelius (G, Oregon)
205) Washington Commanders: Kain Medrano (LB, UCLA)
206) Buffalo Bills: Chase Lundt (T, UConn)
207) Philadelphia Eagles (from Chiefs): Cameron Williams (T, Texas)
208) Carolina Panthers (from Eagles through Broncos): Jimmy Horn (WR, Colorado)
209) Philadelphia Eagles (from Chargers)*: Antwaun Powell-Ryland (DE, Virginia Tech)
210) Baltimore Ravens*: Aeneas Peebles (DT, Virginia Tech)
211) Arizona Cardinals (from Cowboys)*: Hayden Conner (G, Texas)
212) Baltimore Ravens*: Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers)
213) Las Vegas Raiders*: Tommy Mellott (QB/WR, Montana State)
214) Los Angeles Chargers*: R.J. Mickens (S, Clemson)
215) Las Vegas Raiders*: Cam Miller (QB, North Dakota State)
216) Denver Broncos (from Browns through Texans)*: Jeremy Crawshaw (P, Florida)

Round 7

217) Dallas Cowboys (from Titans through Patriots): Jay Toia (DT, UCLA)
218) Atlanta Falcons (from Browns through Chargers): Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin)
219) New York Giants: Thomas Fidone III (TE, Nebraska)
220) New England Patriots: Marcus Bryant (T, Missouri)
221) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonah Monheim (C, USC)
222) Las Vegas Raiders: Cody Lindenberg (LB, Minnesota)
223) Seattle Seahawks (from Saints through Eagles via Steelers): Damien Martinez (RB, Miami)
224) Houston Texans (from Bears through Texans): Kyonte Hamilton (DT, Rutgers)
225) Arizona Cardinals (from Jets through Chiefs): Kitan Crawford (S, Nevada)
226) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Panthers and Chiefs): Carson Bruener (LB, Washington)
227) San Francisco 49ers: Kurtis Rourke (QB, Indiana)
228) Kansas City Chiefs (from Cowboys through Lions via Patriots): Brashard Smith (RB, SMU)
229) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Falcons through Eagles): Donte Kent (CB, Central Michigan)
230) Detroit Lions (from Cardinals through Panthers and Broncos): Dan Jackson (S, Georgia)
231) Miami Dolphins: Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)
232) Indianapolis Colts: Hunter Wohler (S, Wisconsin)
233) Chicago Bears (from Bengals): Kyle Monangai (RB, Rutgers)
234) Seattle Seahawks: Mason Richman (T, Iowa)
235) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tez Johnson (WR ,Oregon)
236) Jacksonville Jaguars (from Broncos through Eagles, Commanders and Texans): LeQuint Allen (RB, Syracuse)
237) Green Bay Packers (from Steelers): Micah Robinson (CB, Tulane)
238) Seattle Seahawks from Chargers through Patriots): Ricky White (WR, UNLV)
239) Dallas Cowboys (from Packers through Titans): Phil Mafah (RB, Clemson)
240) Buffalo Bills (from Vikings through Browns and Bears): Kaden Prather (WR, Maryland)
241) Denver Broncos (from Texans): Caleb Lohner (TE, Utah)
242) Los Angeles Rams (reacquired from Falcons): Konata Mumpfield (WR, Pittsburgh)
243) Baltimore Ravens: Garrett Dellinger (G, LSU)
244) Detroit Lions: Dominic Lovett (WR, Georgia)
245) Washington Commanders: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Arizona)
246) New York Giants (from Bills): Korie Black (CB, Oklahoma State)
247) Dallas Cowboys (from Chiefs through Panthers): Tommy Akingbesote (DT, Maryland)
248) New Orleans Saints (from Eagles through Commanders): Moliki Matavao (TE, UCLA)
249) San Francisco 49ers*: Connor Colby (G, Iowa)
250) Green Bay Packers*: John Williams (G, Cincinnati)
251) New England Patriots (from Chiefs)*: Julian Ashby (LS, Vanderbilt)
252) San Francisco 49ers*: Junior Bergen (WR, Montana)
253) Miami Dolphins*: Zeek Biggers (DT, Georgia Tech)
254) New Orleans Saints*: Fadil Diggs (DE, Syracuse)
255) Houston Texans (from Browns)*: Luke Lachey (TE, Iowa)
256) Los Angeles Chargers*: Trikweze Bridges (CB, Florida)
257) New England Patriots (from Chiefs)* Kobee Minor (CB, Memphis)

* = compensatory pick

49ers Take QB Kurtis Rourke In Seventh Round

April 26th, 2025 at 5:07pm CST by Ely Allen

We know the 49ers’ luck with seventh-round passers. They add another one today, drafting Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke at No. 227 overall. Rourke is the younger brother of fellow Canadian passer Nathan Rourke, who is currently playing in the Canadian Football League after failing to make a 53-man roster in the NFL in 2024.

Rourke started one year for the Hoosiers after five seasons at Ohio. Even with the upgrade in competition, Rourke delivered his best statistical season to date recording career highs in completion percentage (69.4) and passing touchdowns (29) while throwing for 3,042 yards and only five interceptions. Rourke did display some mobility with the Bobcats, as well, churning out 832 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground before transferring to Indiana.

Rourke has an ideal, big-bodied frame and a natural throwing motion. He throws with pace and has a deep ball with excellent timing and touch. He’s been tenacious in his career, as well, starting all but one game for the Hoosiers in 2024 despite multiple injuries limiting him in prior seasons.

In San Francisco, Rourke will compete with last year’s undrafted rookie Tanner Mordecai for a QB3 role behind Brock Purdy — famously also a seventh-round pick — and Mac Jones. Despite his lack of acclaim coming into the draft, it’s worth keeping an eye on Rourke as the 49ers have a tendency for striking gold with their backup passers.

Latest On 49ers, TE George Kittle

April 26th, 2025 at 8:55am CST by Sam Robinson

TODAY, 8:55am: George Kittle was in the building yesterday for offseason conditioning, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The two sides are continuing to discuss an extension.

THURSDAY, 10:50am: While Ja’Marr Chase widened the gap between the wide receiver and tight end markets last month, the latter group has inched closer to the $20MM-per-year barrier via Trey McBride‘s $19MM-AAV Cardinals extension. A more accomplished player is likely targeting that deal.

George Kittle has moved past his early-career health issues, placing himself on the Hall of Fame radar by becoming an integral part of the 49ers’ offense — both as a pass catcher and blocker. Kittle is now a six-time Pro Bowler who has snared five All-Pro honors. The eight-year veteran’s resume is probably already Canton-worthy, and this year may serve as his last chance to capitalize on his top form.

The 49ers and Kittle are believed to be far apart on a third contract, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicated Wednesday his recent absence from San Francisco’s offseason program relates to his desire to become the NFL’s highest-paid tight end. Kittle then countered by replying to a Russini tweet, saying this was not the case. Kittle said previously (via NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco) he usually does not show for voluntary workouts until on-field work begins. OTAs do not begin until May.

Russini, however, confirmed after more conversations with league figures (video link) Kittle’s early absence from team work is a contract-related situation. Kittle, 31, would not need to report until 49ers minicamp to avoid being fined. He did not hold out in 2020, and the 49ers hammered out a then-record five-year, $75MM extension during training camp. The former fifth-round pick has the chance to top that deal soon, considering where the cap now resides, and the 49ers likely have received an ask from the standout to eclipse McBride’s numbers.

The 49ers are believed to have made Kittle an offer that brought better guarantees, per Russini, compared to McBride’s extension. It is not known if that means total guarantees or fully guaranteed money. McBride secured $43MM in total and $32.5MM in signing. McBride has the age advantage on Kittle here, going into his age-26 season, but the ninth-year 49ers vet can certainly counter that he remains in peak form and has stayed healthy. An All-Pro in each of the past three seasons, Kittle added a fourth 1,000-yard year in 2024 and missed only two games. He has not missed more than three in a season since 2020.

San Francisco does not appear to have matched McBride’s $19MM-per-year number yet, and it will be interesting to see how far Kittle is willing to go to become the NFL’s first $20MM-per-year tight end. It can be argued tight ends are underpaid relative to their value, as team-friendly deals for Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski helped suppress the market over the past 13 years. Kittle can strike a blow for the position, but his extension talks come during the same offseason in which Brock Purdy joins him in a contract year. Purdy showed up for the start of 49ers workouts, and the sides are believed to be progressing on an extension.

After the 49ers traded Deebo Samuel, they are not expected to have Brandon Aiyuk to start the season. That situation could give Kittle leverage, should the decorated performer use it, as his contract year nears. Teams are monitoring this situation, per Russini, though no trade request — which helped shape the Samuel and Aiyuk negotiations — has come out.

49ers Select DE Mykel Williams At No. 11

April 24th, 2025 at 8:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers have, unsurprisingly, added along the defensive front in the opening round of the draft. Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams is headed to San Francisco.

D-line loomed as a 49ers need for months heading up to the draft, and the NFC West franchise will make Williams the first Georgia defender taken in this draft. Jalon Walker had been expected to hold that honor, but the hybrid defender remained on the board at No. 11. San Francisco will go with Williams, a former top-10 national recruit who contributed for the Bulldogs across three seasons.

Williams took a “30” visit to the Bay Area to meet with 49ers brass, and the 49ers will take him with their highest pick since the 2021 Trey Lance misfire. Williams profiles as a bookend to Nick Bosa. The 49ers have gone with veterans in that slot in recent years, cycling through the likes of Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu, Arden Key and Leonard Floyd. San Francisco cut Floyd earlier this offseason, freeing up a spot opposite Bosa. Williams’ draft position points to a clear starter path, and the 49ers will line him up on a D-line that could still use some help up the middle.

Williams’ size (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) and athleticism gave him some of the highest upside amongst edge rushers in the 2025 class. He posted 4.5 sacks in each of his first two seasons with the Bulldogs, but a lingering ankle injury limited his production in 2024. Williams recorded five sacks and nine tackles for loss, figures short of what many other Day 1 prospects managed but enough for a second-team All-SEC nod. Williams joined Walker in participating in a late pro day this month in Athens, and the 49ers evidently liked the final returns from the one-time elite prospect.

Lingering injury concerns do not appear to exist with Williams, who also worked out at Georgia’s pro day. The 49ers had also been viewed as a potential landing spot for defensive tackle Walter Nolen, but they will take a player whose production did not quite match his recruiting profile in college. That said, the 49ers still employ well-regarded D-line coach Kris Kocurek. Rather than having a midlevel free agent to use opposite Bosa, the veteran assistant now has a high-profile prospect to develop.

Walter Nolen Expected To Go In Top 15; 49ers Listed As Potential Fit

April 24th, 2025 at 4:12pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen could be taken earlier in the first round than expected, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Some teams even have Nolen ranked higher than Michigan’s Mason Graham, the consensus DT1 in the class and an expected top-10 pick.

Nolen’s explosiveness and physicality give him the potential to be an impactful interior disruptor in the NFL, but he needs to improve the mental aspects of his game to reach that upside. Nolen has character concerns – specifically a perceived sense of entitlement and lack of maturity – but an organization like the 49ers with a strong culture and leaders in their defensive line room could bet on their ability to develop him as a player and a person.

Nolen’s late rise could even see him break into the first 10 picks with multiple links to the Panthers at No. 8, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. Carolina, however, has also been repeatedly connected to Georgia linebacker/edge rusher Jalon Walker, which would make Nolen a minor surprise.

Miller also listed the 49ers and the Cowboys as potential landing spots just outside of the top 10, though both teams may have other positional prioritize. Dallas seems poised to add a wide receiver or offensive lineman, and San Francisco is expected to take an edge rusher at 11, per The Athletic’s Diana Russini.

Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. could be target for the Cowboys at 12, according to Miller, but the 49ers are expected to add at least one guard in the draft, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Banks played tackle in college, but 33.5-inch arms are on the short side for the position in the NFL. His elite movement skills could make him an excellent guard in San Francisco’s wide zone scheme right away as he trains to replace Trent Williams at left tackle in the long-term. The 11th pick was specifically mentioned as a floor for Banks by Breer, indicating that he’s in play for the 49ers’ first-rounder.

Christian McCaffrey Attending Offseason Workouts, Has No Physical Limitations

April 24th, 2025 at 1:20pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was in attendance at the start of the team’s voluntary offseason workout program without any physical limitations, according to NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco.

That’s an encouraging sign for the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year after he was limited to just four games in 2024.

A nebulous lower-leg injury – later revealed to be Achilles tendinitis – sidelined McCaffrey at the beginning of the regular season and eventually landed him on injured reserve. He made his season debut in Week 10, but returned to IR with a PCL injury less than a month later.

McCaffrey’s injury woes raised questions about his high usage in the 49ers offense. After missing the first nine games of the season, he played 155 of the team’s 176 offensive snaps (88.1%) in his first three games before going down after just 12 snaps in his fourth. McCaffrey will be 29 once the 2025 season begins with more than 2,000 touches in his career, so such a high snap share may not be tenable moving forward.

As a result, head coach Kyle Shanahan may make a more concerted effort to distribute touches in 2025, though the team traded Jordan Mason and Deebo Samuel this offseason. That will give athletic 2024 draft picks Isaac Guerendo and Ricky Pearsall an opportunity to take some of the playmaking burden off McCaffrey’s shoulders. The 49ers could also add to their offense from a 2025 draft class that is especially strong at running back.

Minor NFL Transactions: 4/22/25

April 22nd, 2025 at 8:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s minor moves:

Detroit Lions

Minnesota Vikings

  • Waived: OL Trevor Reid

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

The Steelers let Najee Harris walk in free agency, passing on re-signing their four-year starting RB despite the Chargers only giving him a one-year, $5.25MM deal. That base value is nearly identical to Warren’s 2025 compensation, set for $5.35MM by virtue of being tendered at the second-round level.

A former UDFA, Warren has served as Harris’ flashier sidekick for three seasons. The former Utah State and Oklahoma State back has proven a find, making key contributions off the bench while on a UDFA deal. Warren, 26, totaled 1,154 scrimmage yards in 2023 and 821 (in 15 games) last year. He will be set to team with Kenneth Gainwell, who is also on a one-year agreement. Pittsburgh has since been linked to adding a starter-level RB in the draft.

49ers, Brock Purdy Making Progress On Extension Talks; QB In Attendance For Offseason Program

April 22nd, 2025 at 10:35am CST by Adam La Rose

APRIL 22: Purdy is indeed in attendance for the beginning of the team’s offseason program, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network report. That is certainly an encouraging indication as it pertains to the chances of an extension agreement being worked out shortly. Tight end George Kittle, on the other hand, is absent as team and player remain far apart on the contract front in that case.

APRIL 21: Tomorrow marks the start of the 49ers’ offseason program. In the case of quarterback Brock Purdy, that date could mark a sign of progress toward an extension agreement being reached.

Team and player have been negotiating since at least February, with talks heating up one month later. Getting a deal over the finish line in time for the start of voluntary workouts has been named by general manager John Lynch as a possible target. Purdy attending tomorrow would of course indicate an agreement is drawing closer.

On that note, The Athletic’s Michael Silver reports “some progress” has been made with respect to extension negotiations. The size of the remaining gap between the parties will be illustrated – at least to an extent – by whether or not Purdy is present for the start of the offseason program tomorrow. Silver adds it is unclear at this point whether or not the former ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ will be in attendance.

Given the nature of the quarterback market, a price point around $50MM has long been used to estimate the cost of a long-term Purdy deal. The final AAV figure could check in even higher, of course, and Silver notes an agreement will “likely” carry an average cost at least $50MM per season. 10 signal-callers are currently attached to a pact worth between $51MM and $60M in annual compensation.

Purdy could soon become the next member of that group given the continued growth of the salary cap and his status as a locked-in starter for the 49ers. San Francisco’s offseason began with a number of notable departures in free agency, and the team took a measured approach knowing a major commitment to the Iowa product will soon be made. Purdy is set to earn $5.35MM in 2025 as things stand, but he will be in line for a massive spike in compensation provided negotiations go as planned.

Plenty of time remains for a deal to be struck, and the 49ers have a history of high-profile contract talks lasting deep into the summer. An indication of whether or not such a scenario is to be avoided in Purdy’s case will emerge on Tuesday.

Broncos Looking To Move Up In First Round

April 21st, 2025 at 6:44pm CST by Ben Levine

While there’s been plenty of talk about teams potentially moving back in the first round, it sounds like one team is actually focused on moving up the draft board. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Broncos “have made inquiries about moving up” in the first round. Albert Breer of SI.com shares that sentiment, noting that Denver is one of the lone teams looking to move up.

[RELATED: Broncos To Make WR Addition]

The Broncos are currently armed with the No. 20 pick in the draft, and they own all of their picks through the first four rounds. The team doesn’t own a fifth- nor seventh-round pick, although GM George Paton and his staff do have three sixth-round selections at their disposal. Denver also has all of their 2026 picks except a sixth-round selection (sent to the Jets in the John Franklin-Myers trade).

After the Broncos made a surprising run at the playoffs behind rookie QB Bo Nix, the organization is obviously looking to take another significant step in 2025. There’s been plenty of speculation that the front office could look to add to Nix’s arsenal, with rumblings surrounding the addition of an early-round running back or receiver. On the flip side, there’s also been a rumor about the Broncos focusing their draft efforts on the defensive side of the ball — even after the Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga signings.

In other words, the Broncos’ trade opportunities will likely be dependent on individual players vs. any one overarching position. One thing seems pretty certain: the Broncos won’t be moving back. As our own Sam Robinson noted last week, Sean Payton has never traded down in Round 1 (and probably won’t start now).

Fortunately for the Broncos, they should have plenty of options if they ultimately decide to pull the trigger on a trade. While there’s been plenty of trade-back speculation regarding a handful of teams, Schefter definitively points to the Jaguars (No. 5), Panthers (No. 8), 49ers (No. 11), Falcons (No. 15), Seahawks (No. 18), and Buccaneers (No. 19) as teams picking before Denver that could be looking to move back.

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