Team news: San Francisco 49ers | Page 24

Ja’Lynn Polk likely will be one of the starting wide receivers when Week 1 arrives, at least until Kendrick Bourne returns from injury. Polk’s training camp hasn’t been spectacular or filled with other-worldly catches, but he has been consistent and done enough for the quarterbacks to trust him.

Demario Douglas probably has been the best wide receiver, but Polk isn’t far behind. He might start behind K.J. Osborn on the depth chart, but optimism is high around the second-round pick out of Washington.

Related players: Javon Baker

While optimism is high around Polk, it sounds like even if he doesn't get a starting job out of the gate, it should only be a matter of time. Meanwhile, fourth round pick Baker started strong, but looks to be further down the depth chart after a tough stretch, according to the rest of the story. Baker is dealing with drops in practice and running with the fourth-string QB at times. The story said he'll likely start as the team's WR4 or WR5.

Kyle Shanahan is hopeful that Ricky Pearsall will be ready for Week 1 for 49ers.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings

With no movement yet —or possibly at all— on the Aiyuk front, it seems unlikely that the rookie will make much of a fantasy impact unless someone in the offense misses time. He's an interesting (very) late-round dart throw, but nothing more for now.

It’s a “mild calf injury” for Jaguars WR Christian Kirk, per Doug Pederson. He won’t practice vs Bucs today.

Related Players: Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington

Doesn't seem like anything too serious but also seems like Kirk won't be practicing for the rest of the week. We'll keep an eye on the situation, but no reason to push Kirk down your draft boards quite yet.

The Chiefs expect Hollywood Brown to return early in the regular season. Reid was noncommittal about Brown's chances of playing in the team's Sept. 5 opener against the Baltimore Ravens, saying only, "We'll see.''

Related Players: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Skyy Moore, Nikko Remigio, Justyn Ross

The article continues, "The early beneficiary of Brown's absence in practice is Justin Watson, who is taking many of the snaps that would have gone to Brown."

If we knew that Brown were to miss multiple regular season games, Watson would be a little more interesting, but he should remain undrafted in most fantasy leagues. He could be worth a dart throw in *very* deep drafts or in large-field tournaments for differentiation.

Earlier Tuesday came news that the Steelers and 49ers have a deal in place for a Brandon Aiyuk trade. So, why hasn’t it happened yet?

Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports the 49ers haven’t pulled the trigger on a trade because they aren’t that far apart on a deal to keep Aiyuk in San Francisco long term.

Garafolo was quoted in the story as saying Aiyuk would prefer to stay with the Niners, and the Niners would prefer to keep him. Garafolo added the 49ers number has got better than what it was previously during the talks.

The standoff between receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers may be coming to a conclusion soon.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the 49ers and Steelers have a deal for a potential Aiyuk trade in place. The Steelers also are “in a good place” with Aiyuk on a new contract. If the 49ers give their final sign-off, the deal will be done.

Related players: Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Jacob Cowing, George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III

The story went on to say San Francisco also has an offer out to Aiyuk on a long-term deal for him to remain with the club that, but to this point, Aiyuk has not accepted. The story added it’s currently unclear what Pittsburgh would send back to San Francisco in exchange for Aiyuk, but it would likely be a significant package. If the deal goes through, the Niners would be looking at Pearsall, Jenning and Cowing to move up the depth chart, while in Pittsburgh, Aiyuk and Pickens form the 1-2 punch.

Trade talks have reportedly slowed as receiver Brandon Aiyuk continues his hold-in with the 49ers.

With it again looking more like Aiyuk will be with San Francisco for 2024, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked in his Monday press conference if Aiyuk was taking part in anything on the field — like running routes with the team’s quarterbacks against air.

“Not with us. I trust Brandon knows what he’s got to do for this year to get ready to play,” Shanahan said, via transcript from the team.

Aiyuk is seeking a new contract that will pay him a salary that’s more in line with the current market rate for top receivers. He’s currently slated to make $14.124 million in guaranteed base salary on his fifth-year option in 2024, the story went on to say. Rumors have linked him to the Patriots, Steelers and Browns over the last week, with other rumors saying deals were in place. However more recently, talks with Aiyuk and the Niners have reportedly progressed, and it could mean a return to San Francisco. We rank Aiyuk 16th among WRs, so he's a very solid WR2 option on your fantasy roster no matter where he ends up.

Someone in the set of wideouts has to emerge as an eventual No. 1. Right now, rookie Ja’Lynn Polk has as good a shot as anyone.

Related players: Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn, Kayshon Boutte

For what it's worth, we've already reflected this on our fantasy depth charts listing Polk as the top option. Robinson thinks Polk could step in and get a ton of targets immediately. In the preseason opener, Polk played limited snaps but caught three balls for 14 yards. Robinson expects those numbers to grow. Polk could be worth targeting in the later rounds of drafts given his very late ADP.

Jalen McMillan lined up out wide on 7 of his 10 snaps on Sunday — good news for his potential to start early in three-WR sets.

Related players: Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Trey Palmer, Sterling Shepard

With Evans on the outside and Godwin expected to be back in a full-time slot role this season, it leaves the other outside position up for grabs. Palmer flashed at times last season in the WR3 role, but, McMillan was drafted this past spring and looks to have a serious shot at taking that outside role, which would give him a boost in value heading into drafts.

"Nothing against Elijah Mitchell, but Jordan Mason runs at a very high level." - 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan on Mason earning reps at RB2 when Christian McCaffrey isn't in.

Related players: Isaac Guerendo

Guerendo is going to miss some time at camp and with the rookie out of action, it could mean the RB2 role ends up going to Mitchell or Mason. Mitchell struggles to stay healthy at times, but has excelled in the starting role before. It could just be coach-speak about Mason, but it's also worth paying attention to, especially if you're looking to handcuff McCaffrey this season.