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49ers | Four-year deal for Kaelon Black Sat May 9, 01:10 PM
San Francisco 49ers third-round draft choice RB Kaelon Black signed a four-year contract with the 49ers Friday, May 8. Financial terms were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Kyle Shanahan can never have enough running backs, apparently. Black is a try hard runner who is not the most athletically gifted, but will be a dependable assignment-sound back. We'll be monitoring 49ers news to learn whether Black, 2025 fifth round pick Jordan James, or 2024 fourth round pick Isaac Guerendo is the first in line for touches if Christian McCaffrey misses time. |
San Francisco 49ers second-round draft choice WR De'Zhaun Stribling signed a four-year contract with the 49ers Friday, May 8. Financial terms were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Stribling has been one of the most hotly debated draft picks after the 49ers took him with the first pick of the second day. He could have more fantasy value than anticipated if the 49ers use his blocking ability to bring him in motion as a "wham" blocker from the flanker position, where he can also release into routes through gaps to create mismatches a la Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. He's probably underrated in dynasty rookie drafts. |
Updating previous reporting, San Francisco 49ers WR De'Zhaun Stribling's contract is a four-year, fully guaranteed deal worth $13.376 million, including a $6.188 million signing bonus.
Link to storyUpdating previous reports, undrafted free-agent TE Khalil Dinkins (Penn State), WR Wesley Grimes (NC State) and WR Will Pauling (Notre Dame) officially signed with the San Francisco 49ers Friday, May 8. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Link to storySan Francisco 49ers fourth-round draft choice OG Carver Willis, fourth-round draft choice CB Ephesians Prysock, fifth-round draft choice LB Jaden Dugger and fifth-round draft choice OT Enrique Cruz Jr. signed four-year contracts with the 49ers Friday, May 8. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent LB Kyle Van Noy (Ravens) said he is interested in signing with the San Francisco 49ers.
Link to storyKyle Van Noy player page
San Francisco 49ers LB Mykel Williams (knee) is still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will be a candidate to start for the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list if he is not cleared to play, in the opinion of NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco.
Link to storySan Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (Achilles) will be a candidate for the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list if he is not ready for the start of the 2026 season, in the opinion of NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. The 49ers have not ruled out the possibility of Kittle being ready for Week 1.
| Footballguys view: In fact, head coach Kyle Shanahan has suggested Week 1 is entirely possible. Still, as Maiocco noted, a return for the opener seems like an aggressive timeline for Kittle's return from a torn Achilles, and the 49ers could be cautious, as he enters his 10th NFL season. If Kittle begins the season on the physically unable to perform list, Jake Tonges, who's proven to be a capable contributor in the passing game, would be the starter until the veteran returns. |
George Kittle player page
San Francisco 49ers WR Christian Kirk and WR De'Zhaun Stribling will likely compete for the No. 3 receiver job during training camp, in the opinion of NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco.
| Footballguys view: Stribling's draft position -- he went in the second round, well ahead of expectations -- has him soaring up rookie boards. While he'll likely battle Kirk for that No. 3 spot, Maiocco acknowledges it's possible that if Ricky Pearsall provides an opening, Stribling could take over a more significant role in this offense. As the Footballguys 2026 Rookie Draft Guide said of Stribling, "He is risky, but has the profile to be a breakout rookie." |
Christian Kirk player page
San Francisco 49ers RB Kaelon Black will probably have a chance to earn the No. 2 running back job during training camp, in the opinion of NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco.
| Footballguys view: According to Maiocco, a veteran beat writer who's covered the Niners for 30 years, Isaac Guerendo will be in a battle to hold onto a roster spot after losing his place on the depth chart to Jordan James last season. Maiocco added: "The 49ers really like Black, a third-round pick, which suggests he has a strong chance to emerge as Christian McCaffrey's primary backup." We'll watch for more. |
San Francisco 49ers RB Kaelon Black was the sixth running back taken in the 2026 NFL Draft when he was picked in the third round. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Black was the second-best back in the draft behind No. 3 overall pick RB Jeremiyah Love, who went to the Arizona Cardinals. 'We had him as the second-rated back on the board,' Shanahan said this past week in a radio interview. 'So, that's just our evaluation, right or wrong that's our evaluation.'
| Footballguys view: Somebody on this roster is going to have contingent upside if Christian McCaffrey goes down, but it's not clear Black is that guy. According to Footballguy Sigmund Bloom, Black is a high-floor try-hard back, but not clearly better than the team's current RB2, Jordan James. He is better than the next man on the depth chart, Isaac Guerendo, but Shanahan's track record on backs in the third/fourth round range of the draft should give you pause. "Let someone else take the third running back drafted on the promise of draft capital," Bloom advises. |
San Francisco 49ers RB Jordan James is the 'current favorite' to be the backup behind RB Christian McCaffrey, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com.
| Footballguys view: James is the favorite for the no.2 spot...for now. He will compete with rookie Kaelon Black for that job. This is a battle that all Fantasy GMs should be dialed into when training camp and the preseason get here. Anyone wanting to handcuff a player to McCaffrey (or 'jock block' the McCaffrey owner) will want to know who is the leader in the summer. |
San Francisco 49ers RB Kaelon Black can help the offense 'in a big way,' according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.
| Footballguys view: Black was drafted a bit sooner than some were expecting, but John Lynch says 'forget that consensus board!' (probably). Black was selected in the third round, and he was the first player drafted in the 2026 class that wasn't invited to the Combine. He's a no-nonsense runner who is not afraid of the grind. Black is limited as a receiver out of the backfield, so perhaps the 'big way' he can help the offense is as a two-down banger to begin his career. |
San Francisco 49ers WR De'Zhaun Stribling's run blocking ability stood out, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. 'He has an elite blocking skill,' Shanahan said.
| Footballguys view: Stribling's film was outstanding, and he cemented his draft stock with a blazing 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. His speed and strong hands make him a playmaker - and one who can do a lot of damage after the catch. Stribling is a great blocker entering the pros, and that can get him on the field faster than others from this rookie class. He's competing to establish a pecking order behind Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and Christian Kirk. |
San Francisco 49ers CB Tre Tomlinson was waived Thursday, April 30.
Link to storyFree-agent S Patrick McMorris (Giants) was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, April 28. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyUndrafted K Ethan Sanchez (Houston) has been invited to the San Francisco 49ers' rookie minicamp, according to a source on Monday, April 27.
Link to storyFree-agent RB Sincere McCormick (Vikings) has signed with the San Francisco 49ers, according to a source on Monday, April 27. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent S Jalen Stroman agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, April 27, according to a source. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storySan Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk was not traded during the 2026 NFL Draft, but general manager John Lynch still hopes to move the receiver. 'No new update right now,' Lynch said regarding Aiyuk on Saturday during his post-draft news conference, per team transcript. 'We're available. Give us a call. And like I said earlier, I think it's the prudent thing to do. He's an extremely talented player. He's been an extremely effective player in our league; situation didn't work itself out here.'
| Footballguys view: Aiyuk has been destined for a San Francisco exit for months now after the team placed him on the reserve/left squad list in December. Lynch acknowledged in January that it was "safe to say" Aiyuk had played his last down as a Niner, but they seem intent on getting something in return. "Not anytime soon," Lynch said when asked if he was planning on releasing Aiyuk. It's in the team's best interest to be patient and see what kind of offers come as the season draws nearer. |
Brandon Aiyuk player page
Notre Dame WR Will Pauling agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, April 26, according to a source. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyNC State WR Wesley Grimes agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, April 26, according to a source. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyPenn State TE Khalil Dinkins is signing as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers, and his deal includes $275,000 guaranteed money, a source said Saturday, April 25.
Link to storyUniversity of Illinois DT James Thompson is signing as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers on a deal that includes $280,000 guaranteed money, a source said Saturday, April 25.
Link to storyIndiana RB Kaelon Black was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 90th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Link to storySan Francisco 49ers LB Dee Winters was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the 152nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Link to storyOle Miss WR De'Zhaun Stribling was selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 33rd overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Link to storyLouisville DT Rene Konga recently had a meeting with San Francisco defensive line coach Kris Kocurek leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, according to sources.
Link to storySan Francisco 49ers exclusive rights free-agent OT Austen Pleasants signed his one-year tender offer Monday, April 20. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storySan Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner (ankle) said he will not have any limitations during offseason workouts.
Link to storyFred Warner player page
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk has been the subject of some trade decisions recently, but general manager John Lynch said he does not believe an Aiyuk trade will happen this week.
Link to storyBrandon Aiyuk player page
San Francisco 49ers OT Trent Williams agreed to a two-year, $50 million extension Monday, April 20. He'll earn $24.5 million in 2026 and has $37 million fully guaranteed.
Link to storyArizona State OL Max Iheanachor was reportedly brought in recently for a visit by the San Francisco 49ers leading up to the NFL Draft, according to a source on Saturday, April 18.
Link to storyIndiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. is having a 'Top 30' visit with the San Francisco 49ers Wednesday, April 15, according to a source.
Link to storyOklahoma LB Kendal Daniels is having a 'Top 30' visit with the San Francisco 49ers Wednesday, April 15, according to a source.
Link to storyUtah OT Caleb Lomu and Missouri DT Chris McClellan have reportedly visited with the San Francisco 49ers, according to both players' Instagram posts and a source on Tuesday, April 14.
Link to storySyracuse P Jack Stonehouse reportedly had a private meeting with San Francisco 49ers special teams coach Brant Boyer, according to a source on Tuesday, April 14.
Link to storyTennessee WR Chris Brazzell II is scheduled to have a 'Top 30' visit with the San Francisco 49ers this week, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Link to storySan Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy has been the best quarterback in each of the last three seasons in completion rate on passes of 10 or more yards downfield, according to Sharp Football Analysis' Warren Sharp.
Link to storyUpdating a previous report, free-agent CB Jack Jones (Dolphins) agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers Friday, April 10. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent CB Jack Jones (Dolphins) agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers Friday, April 10. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent CB Jack Jones (Dolphins) met with the San Francisco 49ers Friday, April 10.
Link to storyTexas CB Malik Muhammad said he is scheduled to meet with the San Francisco 49ers before the 2026 NFL Draft.
Link to storyFree-agent DE Cameron Sample (Bengals) agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, April 9, according to a source. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyCam Sample player page
Missouri State TE Lance Mason is 'getting a lot of attention' from the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports.com.
Link to storySyracuse DL Kevin Jobity Jr. had a private workout with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this week, according to a league source.
Link to storySan Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk's future with the team is uncertain at this point, but owner Jed York is not ruling out the possibility of Aiyuk playing for the 49ers in 2026.
Link to storyBrandon Aiyuk player page
San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is still on the roster, and the team does not have a timetable for a resolution to his situation, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Link to storyBrandon Aiyuk player page
San Francisco 49ers DE Nick Bosa (knee) is expected to be ready for training camp in some capacity.
Link to storyNick Bosa player page
Free-agent DE Joey Bosa (Bills) probably isn't an option for the San Francisco 49ers, according to general manager John Lynch. 'I don't know if we can afford him,' Lynch said'
Link to storyJoey Bosa player page































