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SANTA CLARA, Calif. \u2014 As the NFL Draft approaches, some San Francisco 49ers coaches have names circled on the team\u2019s draft board. Take new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s funny,\u201d general manager John Lynch said Monday. \u201cHis whole thing all draft is, \u2018If we draft this guy, I\u2019m throwing a pool party.\u2019 So we\u2019re hoping we\u2019re having a lot of pool parties for Raheem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Monday was the first day of school at the 49ers facility, as players were in for the start of voluntary workouts and reporters were on hand for Lynch\u2019s league-mandated, pre-draft news conference. It also happened to be the day the 49ers finalized a two-year contract extension with left tackle Trent Williams.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m juiced,\u201d quarterback Brock Purdy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a buzz in the building,\u201d Lynch said. \u201cThe players are back (and) there\u2019s a buzz because of what Trent means to this place. So, we\u2019re very excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many have given the 49ers an offensive tackle early in their mock drafts as a potential replacement for the 38-year-old Williams. Lynch was asked what his signing does to the draft board.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably not a whole lot,\u201d Lynch said. \u201cI think, in general, what free agency did this year, what signing a guy like Trent and having some finality there, probably leaves you a little more comfortable in various scenarios. But I think what I liked about what we did in free agency this year is that there\u2019s not a ton of needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lynch said it\u2019s a deep draft at defensive end, offensive line and receiver, and the 49ers are going to \u201cjust let this thing come to us\u201d when they pick at No. 27. Reporters asked whether he were open to trading up or down, and you will never guess what he said \u2026 Sure.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s wide open, and for good reason. A year ago, Lynch said he had only 20 players with first-round grades in the draft pool \u2014 and this year that number is smaller as kids are staying in school and getting paid.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody always says college was the most fun they ever had,\u201d Lynch said. \u201cAnd now they\u2019re being presented with a lot of motivation to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lynch thinks the lack of star power will force more trades during the draft.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I think like the top half of the first round probably runs out a little quicker in terms of what people deem true impact players,\u201d he said. \u201cNow \u2026 I believe there\u2019s a lot of impact beyond that, but I do think there\u2019s gonna be a lot of movement this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 49ers do have a clear need at defensive end, and if they don\u2019t get one, would Lynch revisit his earlier comments that free agent Joey Bosa, Nick\u2019s brother, is too expensive to add?<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll never say never, but I do think we were aggressive this offseason, made a lot of adds, and I think now that the focus really turns to the draft,\u201d Lynch said. \u201cWe\u2019ll never close the door to things like that, (but) I think we\u2019re at a place where we\u2019re comfortable with what we\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the 49ers would still love to trade disgruntled and AWOL receiver Brandon Aiyuk during the draft for a late-round pick, but odds are they might just wind up cutting him later.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had some discussions,\u201d with teams, Lynch said. \u201cDo I think it\u2019s a high probability? No.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike Evans will make Purdy better: Purdy was excited about the team\u2019s signing Evans and immediately watched film of the receiver catching passes from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks Tom Brady and Baker Mayfield.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously a big frame, which is always nice for a quarterback, especially outside at receiver,\u201d Purdy said. \u201cBut also, even going into the red zone, watching some clips of what him, Tom and Baker did with certain routes that he did creating leverage, being able to throw up back shoulders and just really getting that guy in one-on-one situations.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a quarterback, you sort of dream of those situations, so watching the film and understanding this is a guy that can help me with my game, being aggressive and taking those one-on-one shots, and also watching his route-running ability, his quick game and his in-breakers. He can do everything, man.\u201d<\/p>\n
Purdy was working out with tight end George Kittle when he heard the news of the signing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was like, \u2018You\u2019ve got to be kidding me.\u2019\u201d Purdy said, smiling. \u201cAnd up in George\u2019s weight room, he\u2019s got a Mike Evans jersey. So I was like, \u2018All right, sick.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Kittle has long been a fan of Evans and was heavily recruiting the receiver when free agency started. Evans wound up taking less money to leave Tampa Bay and sign with the 49ers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was all George,\u201d Purdy said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n