The San Francisco 49ers left many across the NFL world believing their 31st overall selection, Ricky Pearsall, was helping create swift changes in their wide receiver room.
One day after taking the Florida WR in a first-round stunner, 49ers general manager John Lynch spent Friday clearing the air about why Pearsall is coming on board.
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The Pearsall selection had many analysts, even 49ers fans, theorizing that the franchise was gearing up to part ways with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, or both.
Speaking with the Bay Area media after wrapping up Day 2 of the draft, Lynch fired off the strong message that Pearsall is in the Bay Area to work with the Niners stars — not force a trade.
49ers John Lynch said of potential trade talks involving Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk today:
"We didn’t entertain any of that today. We’re happy with our wide receiver group. Actually, more than happy. We’re thrilled with it. And thrilled to add Ricky to it to make it stronger"— Cam Inman (@CamInman) April 27, 2024
“We didn’t entertain any of that today,” Lynch told reporters. “We’re happy with our wide receiver group. Actually, more than happy. We’re thrilled with it.
Lynch added how the reigning NFC champs are “thrilled to add Ricky to it (the receiver room) to make it stronger.”
Kyle Shanahan Reacts to Trade Rumblings
Lynch wasn’t the only one addressing the Aiyuk/Samuel trade rumors swirling around the 49ers’ facility. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was another who was asked about their situation.
Aiyuk is currently eligible for a contract extension on his current deal. Aiyuk remains on his rookie contract from 2020 but picked up a fifth-year option.
The former Arizona State teammate of Pearsall has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but has grown vocal about wanting a new contract.
Samuel, meanwhile, is hearing trade chatter for the second time since the 2022 NFL Draft.
Hear from John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan as they recap day 2 of the #NFLDraft. https://t.co/yIQ6d0h7W3
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) April 27, 2024
Shanahan, though, echoed a similar statement his GM made about both wideouts.
“Same intentions the way yesterday was … We love those guys,” Shanahan said. “We thought they’d be on our team yesterday. Still do. And we still always listen to everybody until the end of …”
That was when Shanahan paused, recollected himself, and then finished off his quote with careful rhetoric toward reporters.
“I don’t want to give a bad quote for you guys,” Shanahan remarked. “I almost did it again. But yeah, that doesn’t change yesterday, today, tomorrow, ever.”
Did the 49ers Pull Off Any More Draft Stunners? Day 2 Recap
This time, the 49ers turned to the needs many analysts and fans thought they would dive into.
San Francisco rolled with cornerback Renardo Green at No. 64 in the second round. Cornerback was considered a high need for the 49ers, especially for depth behind Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir.
Pro Football Network Draft Analyst Ian Cummings called Green a defender with “starting upside and can be a rotational presence out the gate.”
He also mentioned how Green delivered one of his highlight performances facing No. 6 overall selection Malik Nabers of LSU during their 2023 contest.
The 49ers then turned to interior offensive line help as their next target in the draft — selecting Kansas guard Dominick Puni at No. 86.
That pick was made possible in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles via the Houston Texans. Puni was a Senior Bowl standout and has bounced between right and left tackle before.
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“Puni has the measurements to stay at tackle, but his stylistic tendencies and physical tools might project even better on the interior at either guard or center,” Cummings said.
Puni wrapped up Day 2 for the 49ers’ draft.
San Francisco will now pick at 124th overall to start the final day of the draft on Saturday, with that selection coming via a trade with the Dallas Cowboys. San Francisco has six selections left between picks 124 to 251, barring any trades.
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