There is literally a new rumor about the San Francisco 49ers quarterback situation every day. We don’t know what Wednesday will bring us, but there will be something off the wall. On Tuesday, Ric Bucher, who used to work for ESPN has an NBA analyst — he’s now a senior writer for Bleacher Report — dipped his toes into the Jimmy Garoppolo rumor-fest and said the 49ers have interest in Aaron Rodgers. Bold, Ric.
How seriously should we take the Cousins to 49ers rumors? Matt Maiocco weighs in
“What I do know is Kyle Shanahan likes Kirk Cousins, has always liked Kirk Cousins. I am fairly confident that he would consider Kirk Cousins as an upgrade over Garoppolo, both by availability and just the prolific numbers he can put up. But I would think that if Kirk Cousins ended up with the 49ers, that Garoppolo would end up with Minnesota.
Part of all this stuff is yes, the plan is that Jimmy Garoppolo will be the 49ers’ starting quarterback in 2021, unless somebody falls in their lap. Stafford was not going to fall in their lap because it was going to take a very significant price to get him from the Rams.
You mention Kirk Cousins, another guy that I would toss out there is a possibility if the Falcons with their new coach and GM decide that they want to start a new kind of like the Lions did, would be Matt Ryan. So those are two guys to keep an eye on. As of right now, the leader in the clubhouse would be Jimmy Garoppolo as the quarterback.”
Deshaun Watson trade offers: Our writers propose their best deals to Texans
San Francisco 49ers
Offer: No. 12 pick in the 2021 draft, 2021 third-round pick, 2022 first-round pick, 2022 third-round pick, WR Deebo Samuel
Why it makes sense for the 49ers: It would automatically make the 49ers a favorite, if not the favorite, in the NFC. Watson would give the 49ers a playmaking element they simply haven’t had with Jimmy Garoppolo.
Why Watson should be interested: Watson’s big gripe in Houston appears to revolve around the team culture and the way upper management does business. This is an area in which the 49ers excel.
Where the 49ers stand in the NFC West with Matthew Stafford on the Rams
49ers’ 2021 top-51 liabilities: $160 million
Current cap room: ~$20 million
While the 49ers technically have more cap space than other NFC West teams, they also have the longest list of pending free agents. Left tackle Trent Williams, several key pieces of the defensive front and essentially the entire secondary outside of safety Jimmie Ward are not signed for 2021.
Shanahan and general manager John Lynch’s strategy for beating the cap crunch is rooted in stockpiling draft picks, a cost-efficient way of restocking a roster. After two in-season maneuvers and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s departure to be the Jets’ head coach (which yielded a compensatory pick), the 49ers now have 10 selections in the 2021 draft.
As Kittle began to answer, Austin popped up on the screen, catching Kittle off guard and resulting in smiles all around.
“This is the first time I really got to talk to you, so this is awesome for me,” Kittle said. “You just made my whole day incredible.”
Since his arrival in the NFL, Kittle has kept an Austin action figure in his locker and once performed Austin’s finishing move — the “Stone Cold Stunner” — at a small wrestling event in Iowa a few years ago.
Still, it’s Austin’s no-care, you-can’t-stop-me attitude that Kittle has long admired.
Which Draft Prospects from Daniel Jeremiah’s Top 50 are Linked to the 49ers?
What Jeremiah had to say: ” Farley has outstanding size, length and speed for the cornerback position. He mixes up his technique and effectively re-routes wideouts with a one- or two-hand jam in press coverage. He’s very fluid/loose and stays in phase with his man underneath and down the field. Farley has a quick/smooth pedal in off coverage and his patience helps him handle double moves. He shows exceptional burst when he does drive on the ball. The redshirt junior has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes. He can find and play the ball down the field. He’s aggressive to fill versus the run, but he will fall off a few tackles. Overall, Farley has all of the ingredients to be a No. 1 cornerback at the next level.”
How he fits with the 49ers: The 49ers currently have five cornerbacks set to hit free agency on March 17, namely, Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett and Ahkello Witherspoon. The team could look to shore up the cornerback position with one of the top defenders in this year’s draft.
