The San Francisco 49ers once again face a critical offseason, involving star players’ contracts and who could bolster their roster in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Already, Arik Armstead is on the move. Could Brandon Aiyuk be next?
San Francisco 49ers News Today
The wide receiver room helps dominate today’s news for the reigning NFC champions. From Aiyuk to high-profile incoming rookie Brian Thomas Jr. being linked to the Niners, here’s the roundup of 49er news!
Brandon Aiyuk Contract Extension Update
The 49ers’ most improved wide receiver Aiyuk is now at the forefront of the team’s offseason. Following back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, many believe Aiyuk is deserving of a contract extension.
So will a new deal get done? Or is it at least in the process of getting completed? NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo provided this weekend’s update.
“We’re not close, and they have made a recent run at it from my understanding,” Garafolo said. “It’s not like they haven’t had any discussions. Basically, it’s a little bit of a standoff right now.”
The “standoff” part is the most stirring part for 49ers fans. Already, the franchise lost veteran defensive lineman and beloved captain Armstead to what he called an “extremely disrespectful” offer the team gave him — eventually leading to him signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Aiyuk, meanwhile, has stirred his own pot twice amid the contract chatter. First, he had a cryptic March 25 Instagram post pointing to him walking via free agency if both sides didn’t come to an agreement. Aiyuk then appeared on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson four days later to share, “I’m trying to get what I deserve.”
Longtime 49ers insider Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area revealed on Friday on KNBR that the 49ers are likely to try to shoot for the $25 million range to pay Aiyuk. Maiocco added that “the 49ers are in a position where they just can’t move on from Brandon Aiyuk because there’s really nobody else.”
ORIGINAL SOURCE: Mike Garafolo on NFL Network
Aaron Banks Makes Viral Pitch for Brock Wright
Meanwhile, Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright could be in for a new, finalized three-year deal worth up to $12 million with the 49ers. And someone from Wright’s past is indicating a push for the Niners to land him.
Starting guard Aaron Banks went to his own Instagram page on Sunday to convince a Norte Dame reunion between the two in the Bay Area. Both were Fighting Irish teammates for three seasons.
Aaron Banks would be on board if the #49ers were able to get TE Brock Wright. They were teammates at Notre Dame from 2018-2020 pic.twitter.com/7lY2A7qMel
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 31, 2024
Is Wide Receiver on Deck? Latest Mock Drafts Involving 49ers
Will it be a wide receiver or edge rusher as the 49ers’ first-round pick on Night 1 of the NFL Draft?
PFN created a groundbreaking moment Friday by unveiling the first-ever multi-user mock draft simulator. This new format allows up to 10 different users to draft against one another with different teams. PFN had its own members give it a run with its latest seven-round mock draft. And Ian Cummings predicted the Niners to trade up for Brian Thomas Jr. of LSU.
In Cummings’ proposal, the 49ers send their 31st selection, plus the No. 124 and No. 176 picks, to the Dallas Cowboys to nab the towering 6’4″, 205-pounder whom many analysts believe will land late in the first round.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson believes EDGE is still a high need for the 49ers in the first round. He projects Missouri pass rusher Darius Robinson as the prime fit at No. 31 overall.
“Kyle Shanahan will love having the versatile Darius Robinson play up and down the 49ers’ defensive front,” Wilson wrote.
KEEP READING: 7-Round 10-Team Multi-User PFN Staff Mock Draft