Santa Clara, California. While the San Francisco 49ers were busy picking eight players in the NFL draft, the talk around them was not about what they accomplished.
Instead, most of the conversation has focused on what they did not accomplish. Despite receiving calls on both, the Niners decided not to trade either of their premier receivers, Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel, with all indications pointing to both being on the 2024 roster.
Using a first-round pick (No. 31 overall) on Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall did not completely silence trade speculation, but the 49ers did not actively participate in those discussions on the second and third days of the draft. The 49ers have had a busy offseason at wide receiver. They also signed restricted free agent Jauan Jennings and selected Arizona’s Jacob Cowing in the fourth round.
“We’re happy with our wide receiver group,” said general manager John Lynch. “I’m actually more than happy. We’re overjoyed with it, especially now that Ricky has joined the group and strengthened it even more.
The Niners’ manoeuvres, both successful and unsuccessful, combine to create an intriguing dynamic at the position in 2024 and beyond. Which is why it’s important to address the many unanswered questions about their wide receiver room.
On a team that has already paid Samuel and a few other outstanding players, the outside presumption has been that Aiyuk, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, will be the odd man out.
Teams have asked about Aiyuk’s availability dating back to March 2023. The Niners turned down both offers at the time, and when the matter came up again this year, they said they would consider selling him only if they received an offer they couldn’t refuse.
When it became clear that the 49ers were unwilling to make any deal involving Aiyuk that did not put them in position to select one of the draft’s top three receivers — Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, or Rome Odunze, who were selected at Nos. 4, 6, and 9, respectively — no trade occurred, and all eyes turned to Samuel.
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