California Sports Feed

Any chance the Angels had of postseason contention this season depended on a healthy Mike Trout and a healthy Anthony Rendon,

Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler saved his best for what he hopes is his last rehab start Tuesday, giving up one earned run and seven hits in five innings.

Hawkins High freshman Josiah Rosales-Cristales, who started his diving career by watching the sport on YouTube, wins City diving championship.

True to the Raiders' tradition, the ex-Chargers GM isn't enjoying the QB-favorable circumstances he'd previously enjoyed. Count Ron Mix among those impressed by the Chargers' draft.

SAN JOSE – Former Branham athletic director Landon Jacobs is running out of options to get his job back.

Jacobs, whose dismissal in March sparked outrage at the San Jose school, revealed on Tuesday that the district’s human resources department said he could not be considered a candidate.

He had reapplied for the position on April 5.

“I got a response from HR last week saying that they weren’t going to process my application because of the collective bargaining agreement,” Jacobs told the Bay Area News Group on Tuesday. “I don’t know what they’re referring to, but I haven’t gotten a response back yet.”

Supporters of the popular AD filed a formal complaint last month to the Campbell Union High School District Board of Trustees, calling for the removal of Branham principal Lindsay Schubert and for Jacobs and assistant athletic director Heather Cooper to be reinstated.

Even with the response from HR, Jacobs said he could be reinstated if the allegations in the formal complaint against Schubert are found to be credible by the school board.

Branham appears to be moving quickly to find a new AD.

Sources close to the situation told the Bay Area News Group that the school has narrowed its pool of candidates to replace Jacobs and conducted interviews as recently as Monday. A new athletic director could be announced this week, the sources said.

MORE BRANHAM

• Branham AD story takes another turn at latest school board meeting
• Column: Can that many supporters be wrong about Landon Jacobs?
• Formal complaint provides more details about why Landon Jacobs was dismissed
• Former AD declines teaching reassignment, uncertain about future
• Branham community strongly defends dismissed AD at school board meeting
• Longtime Branham AD loses his job. The school’s community wonders why.

The next school board meeting is Thursday.

At the April 18 board meeting, Jacobs’ supporters revealed that they had filed a public records request to access all written communication and emails between superintendent Robert Bravo, Schubert, and members of the board regarding Jacobs’ situation. They also requested details from any investigation into allegations that the former athletic director mishandled funds. The request was filed on April 10.

According to the California Public Records Act, the board had 10 calendar days to release the correspondence or provide an explanation why it cannot meet the request.

The board responded by formally requesting for an extension, sources said.

Jacobs said that while he remains hopeful that he’ll get his old job back, his search for a new one could start when the school year ends in June.

“There definitely needs to be a timeline here,” Jacobs said. “The day after graduation is my last. So, that would be a point where I need to start looking at other options pretty seriously.”

Two weeks after his dismissal, Jacobs turned down an offer to be reassigned to another school in the district, Del Mar, to teach history, his credentialed subject.

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If Branham were to hire a new athletic director, some amends will have to be made with the school’s athletic boosters, sources said.

Since Jacobs took over the job 14 years ago, he has built a strong relationship with boosters who have helped fundraise for Branham sports teams.

Many in leadership roles within the booster club have organized efforts to reinstate Jacobs, and sources said it’s possible the new AD might not receive the same support.

“That’s not out of the realm of possibilities,” said one booster, who asked to remain anonymous. “Anything is on the table right now.”

Padres looking to snap five-game losing streak on Tuesday; Reds starting Nick Martinez against Yu Darvish

JP Mialovski is a 6-foot-2 quarterback from Long Beach Millikan High School who passed for 2,764 yards and 30 touchdowns last season

James Harden says "it's pretty simple for me" to become a scorer when picking up the slack for Kawhi Leonard, who is out again in Game 5 vs. Mavericks.

Offensive lineman Bruno Fina, who had been moved from tackle to guard this spring, is on his way out with commitments from linemen in transfer portal.

It’s been a while since we went to the KurtenBag.

So, let’s fix that.

If you want in on the next edition (or if you just want to yell at me about this one), you can email me, text me, or DM me. It’s all good to me.

Now to your questions:

Will the Warriors have to trade Kuminga for that one player who can put them over the top?

Well, the player who would put the Warriors (who were the No. 10 seed in the West) over the top is probably not going to be Kuminga anytime soon (if ever)…

So… yes.

That said, the options are rather bleak, and it takes two to tango. The Warriors are high on Kuminga; they don’t want to trade him for anything less than a sure thing. I don’t think the rest of the league shares their opinion on JK. To them, he’s a nice player with plenty of upside, but we have said the same thing about John Collins for years, didn’t we?

If you believe Kuminga (and picks and Andrew Wiggins) should go in exchange for a bonafide No. 2, you need to be hoping for sheer chaos in the league this offseason. I’m not optimistic that will happen, given the league’s parity and the new collective bargaining agreement.

I suggested a few names a couple of weeks ago (or was it days?), and the target that has grown on me the most is Dejaunte Murray.

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I don’t think Murray is a superstar or even someone on the verge of stardom, but he would fill some vacancies for the Warriors.

The first is the need for someone to defend the damn ball on the perimeter. Klay Thompson used to do that, but those days are over. Andrew Wiggins did it, too, and I can’t explain why he stopped. Kuminga can do it, but not at Murray’s level. Murray is long, a former All-Defense team member, and would give the Warriors great on-the-ball pressure and the ability to switch more (a necessity in the pick-and-roll dominant NBA.)

Murray can also handle the ball and run the second unit when Steph Curry (but really Draymond Green) is off the floor. With Chris Paul likely gone, someone has to fill that job.

Murray averaged 22.5 points per game last season for the Hawks on average shooting splits. There’s room for that side of his game to grow a bit, too. He’s going into his age-28 season.

Is he a worthy upgrade over Kuminga? That depends on how you view JK.

I’d make the trade if you keep draft picks out of the mix. The Hawks seem like willing sellers — they need a re-set and the concept of Kuminga and Tre Young on the pick-and-roll could be pretty exciting. The Warriors can rightly claim they brought in another All-Star in their prime — they would likely have to replace Wiggins, though, and that’s easier said than done. (He’d be included for salary-matching purposes.)

There is another player who could be traded to the Bay this summer. His name is Kevin Durant. Ever heard of him?

Sadly, I don’t think that will happen.

Pearsall — who would you say is his pro comparison?

As a society, we’ve run out of white receivers to compare Pearsall. I’ve heard it all: Julian Edelman, Adam Thielen, and I might have suggested Cooper Kupp once or twice.

We’re a few days away from a Wayne Chrebet or Steve Largent comp.

But the actual comp is Saints Z receiver Chris Olave, albeit with appreciably more athleticism.

Like Olave, Pearsall catches everything, is fearless over the middle, and can win at all three levels. He also is poised to line up as a flanker more often than not. And seeing as Olave has caught 159 passes for 2,165 yards in his first 31 games as a pro, despite having dregs at quarterback, I think this comp, while chromatically dissonant, should please Niners fans.

Which running back will get moved, Elijah Mitchell or J.P. Mason?

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I don’t think there will be a trade market for either, but if we expand your question to mean, “Which of these 49ers running backs won’t make the 2024 team?” I’m inclined to say “both.”

Mason is the one most likely not to make the team. I think he’s a good back who’s worthy of carries, but Kyle Shanahan clearly disagrees. And while Mason has been a valuable special teams player for the 49ers, San Francisco spent its offseason adding nothing but guys with good special teams upside.

Seriously, it was like a fetish.

Mason seems on the outs. Another team will reap the rewards.

And I don’t think the Niners can go into the 2024 season trusting Mitchell to stay on the field, seeing as every time he played last season, he seemingly was injured for a week or two afterward. Such is the plight of an undersized back who plays a big back’s game. He was here for a good time, not a long time.

Perhaps someone will send a seventh-round draft pick the Niners’ way for Mitchell. I doubt that happens because of the aforementioned reasons.

But if the Niners are going to carry three “true” running backs (plus a fullback), who is in?

Fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo is in, for sure. He’s Raheem Mostert with 20 extra pounds. I expect him to be a revelation this upcoming season.

And then there’s Alfred Morris 2.0 (we all remember how much Shanny loved him) — Mizzou running back (aka the best running back in America last season) and undrafted free agent Cody Schrader will take the other role.

I am biased here, as he’s a fellow True Son, but landing Schrader was a coup for the Niners.

This guy went from Truman State to walk-on at Mizzou to being the SEC’s best back on one of the nation’s best teams, putting up great games against the best competition Mizzou faced last season.

Doubt this man at your peril.

How many hours did you spend watching draft prospects?

Too many.

But seriously, I love doing draft prep, and with my podcast, KNBR radio, and this venerable establishment all wanting that sweet, sweet content, the effort was well worth it. If nothing else, I have a head start on the 2025 NFL season.

I would estimate that I put in two hours a night, six nights a week for 10 weeks. (I told you I love this stuff).

But even then, I came up short. I pride myself on having a couple of minutes (or a few hundred words) of understanding on every possible 49ers target, but I had to cram study Jarrett Kingston after he was drafted. How I missed a guard with a short shuttle time like that is unacceptable, and I apologize for the shortcoming. It won’t happen again.

Campbell Hall High football coach Dennis Keyes, who has been head coach for 10 years, said Tuesday he was informed the school is dropping its football program.

UCLA coach John Speraw helped found a program that brought men's volleyball to Fort Valley State, the first HBCU to reach the NCAA tournament.

An NBA challenge rule was questioned by Charles Barkley after the Lakers were left with no timeouts in the final minutes of their Game 5 loss to the Nuggets.

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MORGAN HILL — On most days, Live Oak’s Ben Ledwith has barely any room in the trunk of his car. 

He has to fit lacrosse gear, golf clubs and a school bag filled with AP textbooks into his Jeep Wrangler before he drives to the Morgan Hill campus. 

Ledwith is doing something that is not common in this era of specialization. The 6-foot-1 senior is playing two sanctioned high school sports – lacrosse and golf – in the same season.

He is thriving at both.

“I think I can set the bar for people to realize you can do different things and try multiple sports,” Ledwith said. 

His busy schedule this spring followed a fall season in which he was the long snapper on Live Oak’s football team.

The activities have not affected his studies. He carries a 4.71 GPA and will be playing club lacrosse at UCLA next year.

Live Oak coaches and other athletes have taken notice. They believe Ledwith is setting an example for others to play multiple sports. 

“We’re happy to see him playing both sports,” Live Oak golf coach Mark Cummins said. “We want our student-athletes to learn many life lessons while they’re playing sports. He’s done very well managing, going from golf to lacrosse while also having such a high GPA. He’s just been a model for other student-athletes to look at.”

Live Oak senior Ben Ledwith (6) grabs a drink during a timeout in the first quarter of a high school lacrosse game against Bellarmine, Friday, April 19, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Area News Group) 

Playing sports was a must in the Ledwith household. 

Ben’s dad, Brad Ledwith, won the NCAA Division II baseball national championship with Cal Poly in 1989. His twin brother, Nolan, recently committed to Concordia University to play lacrosse. 

“My mother-in-law asked me once, ‘What would happen if your kids didn’t like sports?’ Brad Ledwith said jokingly. “I told her, ‘I’m not sure that they would be part of this family.’ 

“Sports is something that teaches life lessons and I wanted to instill that into my kids early.”

Ledwith’s lacrosse career at Live Oak got off to a good start as he made the varsity team as a freshman. But a torn ACL forced him to miss his sophomore season.

The time away from lacrosse opened another door for Ledwith.

Live Oak senior Ben Ledwith (6) stands on the sidelines in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter of a high school lacrosse game against Bellarmine, Friday, April 19, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Area News Group) 

While recovering from the injury, he was convinced by his dad to try out for Live Oak’s golf team.

“I honestly thought it was just a sport for older people to play,” Ledwith said. “When I tore my ACL, I was just really down in a hole because I love sports and it was my outlet to dealing with my problems. After my dad told me to try out, I fell in love with golf. I just kept practicing, and I just kept getting better and better.”

Since last spring, Ledwith has played golf and lacrosse simultaneously.

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And this season, he convinced two of his lacrosse teammates, freshman Sawyer Drago and senior Ryan Forbis, to join the golf team.

“We’re all really close,” Forbis said about the bond he has with Ledwith and Drago. “We go to golf matches together and go to lacrosse practice right after. It’s been cool to spend all day together to play golf and lacrosse.”

On the lacrosse field, Ledwith has been a team captain for two years and is the Acorns’ best offensive player this season. He is averaging 2.3 goals per game on a Live Oak team that is currently in first place in the Blossom Valley Athletic League. 

“He embodies the pure leadership aspect of a captain,” Live Oak lacrosse coach Gavin Herr said. “I couldn’t respect him more. He’s been integral in this offense and this throughout the season.

Live Oak senior Ben Ledwith (6) gets the attention of the referee for his in-game injury during the third quarter of a high school lacrosse game against Bellarmine, Friday, April 19, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Area News Group) 

On the golf course, Ledwith is Live Oak’s No. 4 golfer and has already helped the Acorns capture a share of the league title. 

“He’s been a great role model for the rest of the players on the team,” Cummins said. “There’s no complaining because we have Ben, who’s playing two sports at the same time while having a 4.0 GPA. He’s been a great leader for our younger players and our freshman, showing them the way.”

Ledwith maintains a regimented schedule to keep himself focused.

That includes getting his school work done immediately after practice and to bed before 10 every night. 

“It’s definitely challenging,” Ledwith said. “I have to be very good at time management. I try to plan out a schedule before my day … I can’t waste a single minute or second of my day.”

Ledwith has his sights set on continuing his athletic career in Southern California. UCLA has one of the better club lacrosse teams on the West Coast. 

“I’m just so grateful for the opportunity,” Ledwith said. “I think it’s absolutely amazing that I get to keep playing lacrosse for another four years. I’m just going to continue to use what I’ve learned and play at the next level.”

Live Oak senior Ben Ledwith (6) shares a laugh with Bellarmine defenseman Eli Rose (18) during a timeout in the first quarter of a high school lacrosse game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Area News Group)  Live Oak senior Ben Ledwith (6) brings the ball upfield ahead of a Bellarmine defender during the third quarter of a high school lacrosse game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Area News Group)  Live Oak senior Ben Ledwith (6) brings the ball upfield ahead of Bellarmine defenseman Eli Rose (18) during the first quarter of a high school lacrosse game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Area News Group)  Live Oak senior Ben Ledwith (6) maneuvers between two Bellarmine defenders during the second quarter of a high school lacrosse game, Friday, April 19, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron for the Bay Area News Group) 

 Bay Area News Group softball Top 20

(Mercury News & East Bay Times)

(Records through Monday)

No. 1 ST. FRANCIS (20-0)

Previous ranking: 1

Since last ranking: Beat Presentation 14-0, 17-3, Los Gatos 8-1

Up next: Wednesday vs. Valley Christian, 4 p.m. 

No. 2 ARCHBISHOP MITTY (15-3)

Previous ranking: 2

Since last ranking: Beat Valley Christian 10-2, 11-1

Up next: Tuesday at Willow Glen, 4 p.m. 

No. 3 BENICIA (17-1)

Previous ranking: 4

Since last ranking: Beat College Park 2-1, Clayton Valley Charter 17-2, Franklin 7-1, Freedom 6-1

Up next: Tuesdayvs. Alhambra, 4:30 p.m. 

No. 4 LIVERMORE (18-4)

Previous ranking: 3

Since last ranking: Beat Foothill 2-1, Monte Vista (FF)

Up next: Tuesday at Amador Valley, 4 p.m.

No. 5 WILLOW GLEN (16-5) 

Previous ranking: 5

Since last ranking: Beat Notre Dame-Salinas 3-0, Santa Teresa 12-0, lost to Hollister 6-5

Up next: Wednesday vs. Notre Dame Salinas, 4:30 p.m.

No. 6 ALAMEDA (14-2)

Previous ranking: 6

Since last ranking: Beat Castro Valley 5-4, Berkeley 12-1

Up next: Tuesday at San Leandro, 4 p.m.  

No. 7 HILLSDALE (20-3)

Previous ranking: 8

Since last ranking: Beat San Mateo 9-0, Burlingame 7-1

Up next: Tuesday vs. Woodside, 4 p.m. 

No. 8 GILROY (17-5)

Previous ranking: 9

Since last ranking: Beat Sobrato 12-0, Branham 6-3

Up next: Wednesday at Live Oak, 4 p.m. 

No. 9 LIBERTY (14-3)

Previous ranking: 10

Since last ranking: Beat Pittsburg 22-0, 24-1

Up next: Tuesday at Heritage, 4 p.m. 

No. 10 CALIFORNIA (13-7) 

Previous ranking: 12

Since last ranking: Beat Monte Vista 11-4, San Ramon Valley 3-2, beat James Logan 5-1

Up next: Tuesday at Dougherty Valley, 4 p.m.  

No. 11 JAMES LOGAN (17-2) 

Previous ranking: 16

Since last ranking: Beat Newark Memorial 5-0, Washington 11-1, lost to California 5-1

Up next: Tuesday at Irvington, 4 p.m. 

No. 12 COLLEGE PARK (10-6)

Previous ranking: 17

Since last ranking: Lost to Benicia 2-1, beat Alhambra 15-3, Amador Valley 16-3

Up next: Tuesday vs. Clayton Valley Charter, 4:30 p.m.  

No. 13 BRANHAM (15-8) 

Previous ranking: 13

Since last ranking: Beat Live Oak 8-3, lost to Gilroy 6-3

Up next: Wednesday vs. Westmont, 4 p.m. 

No. 14 LOS GATOS (15-5) 

Previous ranking: 18

Since last ranking: Beat Mountain View 4-2, Homestead 2-1, lost to St. Francis 8-1

Up next:Wednesday at Fremont-Sunnyvale, 5 p.m. 

No. 15 FREEDOM (11-6)

Previous ranking: 14

Since last ranking: Beat Heritage 11-0, lost to Heritage 4-2, Benicia 6-1

Up next: Tuesday at Deer Valley, 4 p.m.  

No. 16 BISHOP O’DOWD (15-6)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Since last ranking: Beat Arroyo 2-0, Encinal 10-8, Las Lomas 10-7

Up next: Wednesday vs. Alameda, 4 p.m. 

No. 17 DUBLIN (11-7-1)

Previous ranking: 15

Since last ranking: Lost to Granada 10-2, beat Amador Valley 9-8

Up next: Tuesday vs. Foothill, 4 p.m. 

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No. 18 GUNN (19-1)

Previous ranking: 19

Since last ranking: Beat Saratoga 9-0, Mills 2-1

Up next: Tuesday vs. Monta Vista, 4 p.m. 

No. 19 GRANADA (10-9) 

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Since last ranking: Beat Dublin 10-2, Foothill 8-7

Up next: Tuesday at San Ramon Valley, 4 p.m. 

No. 20 THE KING’S ACADEMY (15-2)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Since last ranking: Beat Castilleja 13-3

Up next: Tuesday vs. Notre Dame-Belmont, 4:30 p.m. 

Editor’s note: Teams eligible for the Bay Area News Group rankings come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The rankings were compiled by BANG’s Joseph Dycus, Darren Sabedra and Nathan Canilao.

High school baseball and softball scores from across the Southland for April 29.

Bay Area News Group Baseball Top 20

(Mercury News & East Bay Times)

(Records through Monday)

No. 1 GRANADA (21-1)

Previous ranking: 2

Since last ranking: Beat Dublin 2-0, 4-1

Up next: Wednesday vs. Livermore

No. 2 VALLEY CHRISTIAN (22-3)

Previous ranking: 4

Since last ranking: Beat Archbishop Mitty 4-0, Bellarmine 4-2, 11-0

Up next: Tuesday vs St. Ignatius, 4 p.m.

No. 3 SERRA (18-5)

Previous ranking: 3

Since last ranking: Lost to St. Ignatius 3-1, beat St. Ignatius 5-1

Up next: Tuesday at Mitty, 4 p.m.

No. 4 DE LA SALLE (14-5)

Previous ranking: 5

Since last ranking: Beat Monte Vista 8-5, 6-3, lost to Elk Grove 3-2

Up next: Tuesday vs. Dougherty Valley, 4 p.m. 

No. 5 HERITAGE (18-3-1)

Previous ranking: 7

Since last ranking: Beat Freedom 11-1, 8-4, Franklin-Stockton 8-1

Up next: Tuesday at Liberty, 4 p.m.

No. 6 LOS GATOS (19-3)

Previous ranking: 6

Since last ranking: Beat Cupertino 11-1, 9-0

Up next: Wednesday at Wilcox, 4 p.m.

No. 7 ACALANES (18-2)

Previous ranking: 1

Since last ranking: Lost to Benicia 8-1, beat Benicia 2-1

Up next: Tuesday at Freedom, 4 p.m. 

No. 8 JAMES LOGAN (17-3)

Previous ranking: 9

Since last ranking: Beat Mission San Jose 8-5, 13-0, Berkeley 6-2

Up next: Wednesday at American, 4 p.m.

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• High School Sports | Dual threat: How a South Bay athlete is juggling two high school sports at same time
• High School Sports | High school softball rankings April 30, 2024: Bay Area News Group Top 20

No. 9 COLLEGE PARK (14-6)

Previous ranking: 10

Since last ranking: Beat Northgate 2-1, 8-4, Amador Valley 4-2

Up next: Tuesday at Benicia, 4 p.m.

No. 10 ST. IGNATIUS (15-7)

Previous ranking: 11

Since last ranking: Beat Serra 3-1, lost to Serra 5-1

Up next: Tuesday at Valley Christian, 4 p.m.

No. 11 MITTY (15-9-1)

Previous ranking: 13

Since last ranking: Lost to Valley Christian 4-0, beat Sacred Heart Cathedral 13-2, 5-3

Up next: Tuesday vs. Serra, 4 p.m.

No. 12 SAN RAMON VALLEY (13-8)

Previous ranking: 12

Since last ranking: Beat Amador Valley 5-0, lost to Casa Grande 7-6

Up next: Wednesday at Monte Vista, 4 p.m.

No. 13 WOODSIDE (18-2-1)

Previous ranking: 14

Since last ranking: Beat Mills 7-1, 5-1, Washington-San Francisco 16-0

Up next: Tuesday vs. Aragon, 4 p.m.

No. 14 SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL (15-9)

Previous ranking: 8

Since last ranking: Lost to Bellarmine 5-0, Mitty 13-2, 5-3

Up next: Tuesday at St. Francis, 4 p.m.

No. 15 BURLINGAME (14-5)

Previous ranking: 15

Since last ranking: beat Sacred Heart Prep 5-4 (12 innings), 3-2

Up next: Wednesday at Sequoia, 4 p.m.

No. 16 LEIGH (14-7)

Previous ranking: 16

Since last ranking: Lost to Leland 5-4, beat Leland 7-1

Up next: Tuesday at Live Oak, 4 p.m.

No. 17 CAPUCHINO (15-8)

Previous ranking: 18

Since last ranking: Beat Hillsdale 2-1, lost to Hillsdale 10-3

Up next: Wednesday at Sacred Heart Prep, 4 p.m.

No. 18 PITTSBURG (16-6)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Since last ranking: Beat Liberty 2-1, 2-0

Up next: Tuesday at Antioch, 4 p.m.

No. 19 BENICIA (12-7)

Previous ranking: Not ranked

Since last ranking: Beat Acalanes 8-1, lost to Acalanes 2-1

Up next: Tuesday vs. College Park, 4 p.m.

No. 20 CASTRO VALLEY (14-7-1)

Previous ranking: Not ranked 

Since last ranking: Beat Alameda 4-3, 3-2

Up next: Wednesday at Arroyo, 4 p.m.

Teams eligible for the Bay Area News Group rankings come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

SANTA CLARA – And now for the 49ers’ 2025 mock draft … just kidding. It’s mailbag time to review your 10 best social media questions, in the wake of last weekend’s eight-is-enough draft class that comes packed with experience and speed:

Is Deebo going to get traded away from us? (@juanayonjr1982)

File this question away for next spring. By not trading Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk during the draft, that almost assures their return this season, barring unforeseen drama internally or another team’s desperation before the Nov. 5 deadline. Whereas Aiyuk should land a market-rate extension (say, $28 million annually) in three months, Samuel’s contract runs only through 2025, and it’s hard to see him playing out that final year at a $16.6 million salary. For this year, Samuel will be the one wearing No. 1 at a $21 million salary.

If teams would die to have Kyle Shanahan as their coach, why has his name ever come up in any trade discussions? (@ghosct)

Shanahan enters his eighth season entrenched in the good graces of 49ers’ ownership. That harmonious relationship between Shanahan, John Lynch and Jed York has ideally stabilized that side of the franchise. Shanahan and Lynch signed their second batch of contract extensions before last season’s Super Bowl run. Who’d be better? What place would be better? Onward!

Will Guerendo be RB2 or RB3 in the depth chart? How many TDs? (@wojaen19)

Let’s see how fast Isaac Guerendo integrates into the 49ers’ system first. Speaking of fast, his 4.33-second speed in the 40-yard dash offers a desired change-of-pace look behind Christian McCaffrey. Yes, that could mean Guerendo overtakes Elijah Mitchell (and Jordan Mason) as RB2, but he’ll have to prove worthy in practices and not just be a one-trick pony/racehorse.

Do the 49ers project Green as a boundary or slot corner? What does that say about Samuel Womack? (@JerodBrown)

Renardo Green proved in college he can play outside, but the 49ers’ greater need is inside, and that is where they’ll initially train him. “He’s wired the way you can be at nickel, from a mentality in the run game, also the quickness in coverage,” Shanahan said. Deommodore Lenoir can play inside and outside, but this being his contract year, he’ll want to seek an outside-cornerback payday. As for Womack, he’s mainly been a special-teams ace, but he was inactive in the playoffs, so he’s not assured a job, nor are any of their 2022 draft crop aside from Brock Purdy.

I get not reaching on an offensive tackle in the first round. The fact they sat back in the second round and didn’t move up for one is egregious. This line will be awful if Trent misses any time. (@fbudick83)

Awful? Look, Trent Williams is a three-time reigning All-Pro, so there obviously is a major dropoff when he’s not present. A second-rounder (and the 11th tackle off the board) isn’t going to fill that void. Eight tackles went in the first round, so there wasn’t a surplus remaining. Roger Rosengarten, a popular target in mock drafts, was snatched one spot before the 49ers’ original second-round pick. That left BYU’s Kingsley Suamatala available at No. 63 – and he made a pre-draft visit to the 49ers – but they traded down a spot with the Chiefs, who were the ones that took Suamatala.

What’s our succession plan for life without Big Trent? (@jgm_72)

File this question away for next spring, too. Trent Williams turns 36 in July, and he should have a couple of seasons left in the All-Pro frame (including a wickedly smart mindset). Perhaps they see if Colton McKivitz can flip sides and protect that quarterback he co-stars with in a John Deere commercial. Jaylon Moore got a complimentary shoutout from Lynch on Sunday. Sixth-rounder Jarrett Kingston and ex-Raiders starter Brandon Parker will audition this summer, too. If better options arise in future years, the 49ers know they need a top-notch left tackle to protect Purdy into the future.

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Which 49ers draft picks leave you warm and fuzzy, and which don’t? And who might be a sleeper among the signed undrafted free agents? (@MrEd315)

Let’s see what first-rounder Ricky Pearsall can do. It’s as if Kyle Shanahan envisions him as the NFL receiver he always wanted to be himself. So let’s see the sticky hands, swift routes, fearless crossing routes, and, perhaps, return-man magic. Jacob Cowing brings speed but must prove better than Pearsall, Trent Taylor and others. Of the undrafted crop — which has yet to be officially announced – doors are open for running back Cody Schrader, center Drake Nugent and tight end Mason Pline.

Now that SF knows what they have in Brock Purdy, are we starting to see a shift in offensive philosophy building around his strengths and processing (and less “bully ball”)? (@JasonPSargent)

Let’s remember that this 49ers offense produced the NFL rushing champion (Christian McCaffrey) in Purdy’s first full season as a starter. That said, the 49ers can expand their passing attack with this influx of wide receivers, perhaps taking the onus off a tight end unit that is top-heavy with George Kittle.

We lost Armstead and Kinlaw, and didn’t take a defensive tackle. How are we feeling about that? (@bruisergrande)

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It feels like Maliek Collins (traded from Texans for a seventh-rounder) and Jordan Elliott (signed away from Browns) better pan out and complement incumbents Javon Hargrave, Kevin Givens, T.Y. McGill and Kalia Davis. Undrafted rookie Evan Anderson has a shot to command a spot.

Are the Niners looking to get a No. 2 linebacker aside Warner? Or is Greenlaw gonna be back in time? (@jonny4916)

Check March’s file and you’ll see they signed veteran De’Vondre Campbell, who can start in place if Greenlaw needs a month or so more to recover from his Achilles tear in the Super Bowl. Other options: Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Ezekiel Turner, Dee Winters, Jalen Graham, Curtis Robinson and seventh-round pick Tatum Bethune.

Who’s the most interesting undrafted free agent they signed? (@mark.shapiro.80)

Terique Owens has the name power as T.O.’s son, and he’s a nice project who could learn fast on the practice squad. But the most interesting: Mason Pline, a former college basketball player whose 6-foot-6 frame could be a nice target, if he makes the transition from Ferris State and Furman.

When is the schedule release? (@jmelgoza81)

Not officially announced yet but you might want to circle your calendar for May 9, to then circle your calendar for these 49ers’ games:

Home vs: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys

Away at:  Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.