Matt Barrows

6 days ago | nytimes.com | Matt Barrows

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Though the San Francisco 49ers' recent draft class has all sorts of similarities to players Robert Saleh coached previously in San Francisco, the team's defensive coordinator insists his eye is very much on the future. "You know, you're always trying to stay two years ahead of the offense," Saleh said Thursday during his first public comments since being hired in January.

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Matt Barrows

Scot McCloughan is a meat-and-potatoes kind of scout. When he was leading the San Francisco 49ers' front office from 2005 to 2009, he signed veteran thumpers like Larry Allen and Justin Smith and drafted strong-armed players like Parys Haralson and Joe Staley. For McCloughan, bigger is better, might is right, long arms are strong arms, etc., etc. So it's no surprise the former general manager had high praise for the 49ers' top pick in the draft, Georgia's Mykel Williams.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Matt Barrows

The San Francisco 49ers plan to sign six undrafted rookies this week, including a sturdy, 1,000-yard rusher, a defensive tackle who bench presses 405 pounds and a receiver with a condor-like wingspan. I texted NFL evaluators, consulted with Dane Brugler's "The Beast" and spoke to the agents of most of the prospects below before compiling this ranking, which takes a stab at the prospects' chances of making the season-opening roster or practice squad.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Matt Barrows

No, none of the San Francisco 49ers' 17 incoming rookies play offensive tackle. But the team is bringing in a familiar veteran, D.J. Humphries, to compete for the swing tackle spot. The 31-year-old, who spent nine seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, has agreed to terms on a one-year deal, his agency announced on Tuesday. Tuesday was the first day teams could sign free agents without the addition counting against the compensatory draft pick formula in 2026.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Matt Barrows |Cale Clinton

The San Francisco 49ers and George Kittle have reached an agreement on a four-year, $76.4 million extension, Kittle announced Tuesday morning on "Bussin' With The Boys." The move makes Kittle the highest-paid tight end in NFL history and keeps him with the 49ers through the 2029 season. The 31-year-old tight end was entering the final year of his five-year, $75 million contract that previously topped the tight end market in total value.