Where will Antonio Brown be playing in 2019? Willie McGinest picks the 49ers By David Bonilla Feb 13, 2019 at 8:20 AM • One online betting site named the San Francisco 49ers as the "I think San Francisco would be a perfect fit," said McGinest. "Here's a team with a boatload of cash that needs a receiver, that needs a No. 1 guy for [ There is no question that Brown's on-the-field talent would be an asset to the 49ers, who have lacked a true No. 1 receiver for years. It would also take some pressure off tight end RELATED Antonio Brown officially requests trade from Steelers; 49ers could have backup plan The real question is Brown's chemistry within the locker room and his ability to stay out of trouble off the football field. He made headlines this offseason because of his handling of the situation with his current team and Still, it is fun to imagine what Garoppolo can do with a talented target like Brown at his disposal. "Go ahead and send Antonio over to Oakland, or wherever they decide to play their games," Carr said. "Derek will take good care of him. It will be just fine. No issues." Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has officially asked to be traded. Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news on Tuesday, and online betting sites went to work determining new odds on where the frustrated receiver might land.One online betting site named the San Francisco 49ers as the favorites to land Brown , followed by the Steelers, New York Jets, and Oakland Raiders. Pittsburgh might opt to ship Brown outside of the AFC, which would give San Francisco an edge. That was Willie McGinest's thinking when he was asked on NFL Total Access where he thinks the receiver will play in 2019. "I think San Francisco would be a perfect fit," said McGinest. "Here's a team with a boatload of cash that needs a receiver, that needs a No. 1 guy for [ Jimmy Garoppolo ] when he gets back. Kyle Shanahan, a great designer of game planning for receivers, quarterbacks to be on the same page. Somebody to help spark your building, and he wants a fresh start. Send him to the West Coast. "There is no question that Brown's on-the-field talent would be an asset to the 49ers, who have lacked a true No. 1 receiver for years. It would also take some pressure off tight end George Kittle , who will likely be the focus of opponents' game plans next season.The real question is Brown's chemistry within the locker room and his ability to stay out of trouble off the football field. He made headlines this offseason because of his handling of the situation with his current team and some other issues which have arisen. The 49ers have likely had their fill of offseason drama after dealing with Reuben Foster's troubles for most of last year.Still, it is fun to imagine what Garoppolo can do with a talented target like Brown at his disposal.David Carr also picked a potential destination for Brown but chose the Raiders. Of course, his brother, quarterback Derek Carr, plays for Oakland so that likely influenced the decision. "Go ahead and send Antonio over to Oakland, or wherever they decide to play their games," Carr said. "Derek will take good care of him. It will be just fine. No issues." More San Francisco 49ers News PFF ranks the 49ers 2019 Draft Class as "Excellent" By Rohan Chakravarthi May 24, 2021 Pro Football Focus looked back at its 2019 draft class grades for each team and regraded teams into four tiers: "Excellent", "Above Average", "Average", and "Below Average", while also comparing their current grades with their draft day grades. In the 2019 NFL Draft, the 49ers selected: Round 1 (2): DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State Round 2 (36): WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina Round 3 (67): WR Jalen Hurd, Baylor Round 4 (110): P Mitch Wishnowsky, Utah Round 5 (148): LB Dre Greenlaw, Arkansas Round 6 (176): TE Kaden Smith, Stanford Round 6 (183): OL Justin Skule, Vanderbilt Round 6 (198): CB Tim Harris, 49ers to travel over 28,000 miles in 2021, most in the NFL By David Bonilla May 13, 2021 The San Francisco 49ers are set to travel over 28,000 round-trip miles between cities to face the opponents on the team's 2021 schedule. That ranks as the most travel distance among NFL teams, per ESPN Sports Analytics. pic.twitter.com/u223tCVwtx— Brian Burke (@bburkeESPN) May 13, 49ers-Raiders returns to preseason schedule in 2021 By David Bonilla May 13, 2021 Lost in the 2021 NFL schedule release's manufactured hoopla was the return of a preseason rivalry matchup. No, it won't be during the regular season. It is a preseason matchup. The NFL is reducing the preseason to three games after eliminating it entirely for one season in 2020 due to the pandemic, and after adding a week to the regular season. The San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders — then in Oakland — faced each other in an annual exhibition matchup for 11 consecutive seasons between 2001 and 2011. The rivalry game, previously labeled as the "Battle of the Bay," returns in 2021, with the Raiders scheduled to visit Levi's Stadium to close out the three-game preseason schedule. San Francisco opens its exhibition schedule by hosting These two 49ers rookies earned rare 'gold helmet' during pre-draft evaluations By David Bonilla May 13, 2021 According to assistant general manager Adam Peters, the San Francisco 49ers award a "gold helmet" designation to draft prospects who are "exemplary" in several areas, including leadership and intelligence. He told Matt Barrows of The Athletic that last year's fifth-round pick, offensive lineman Colton McKivitz, received the designation. Heading into a draft, only 15-20 prospects earn the "gold helmet." This year, the 49ers ended up drafting two players who earned the designation — quarterback Trey Lance, selected No. 3 overall, and safety Talanoa Hufanga, the last of three fifth-round<doc-sep>We’ve been getting into prediction season in a big way. Last week, ESPN boldly predicted that Earl Thomas would be going to the 49ers, and today, we have John Clayton doubling down on not just Thomas, but Antonio Brown joining him in San Francisco. Not only do the 49ers get those two, but they also will improve 8-8 or better according to his prediction: “The Oakland Raiders have more ammo to get a deal done, given their three first-round picks, but the Steelers would prefer to move Brown out of the AFC. The 49ers can offer the fourth pick in the second round. There remains the issue of Brown being investigated by the league for allegedly pushing the mother of his child during an incident in which no arrest was made. Signing Thomas to play free safety is a natural fit for the 49ers. Former Seattle Seahawks teammate Richard Sherman is pushing for it, and the team’s defensive system — mostly cover-one and cover-three — is a copy of what the Seahawks use.” The Brown situation is a convoluted one. There’s issue of Brown’s alleged domestic dispute. While an investigation is ongoing and Brown’s representatives are claiming no wrongdoing, it’s one of those things that until it’s resolved, I don’t think the 49ers will want much to do with it. Brown bid adieu to Steelers fans on Tuesday, and while he has reportedly requested a trade, it’s up to Pittsburgh to actually make it happen. Brown’s value has been rumored to have fallen to a 4th round pick, and it’s difficult to see the Steelers dealing him for 30 cents on the dollar. Earl Thomas coming to the 49ers makes far better sense than the Dallas Cowboys and if the 49ers could land him and Brown, 8-8 or better makes a ton of sense. While Thomas may want to go to the Cowboys, that chance to beat the Seahawks twice a year and play with Richard Sherman again might be too good to pass up. What do you think of a prediction for both of them coming to the 49ers?<doc-sep>SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- There has been nothing subtle about the flirtation between Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and the San Francisco 49ers. Or, better put, between various players on the Niners' roster and Brown. Before we dive into the pros and cons of a potential union between the 49ers and Brown, let's recap the very public evidence indicating that Brown would like to be a Niner and that potential Niners teammates would like to remove the potential qualifier from the equation. Soon after rumors of a potential divorce between Brown and the Steelers began to spread in January, 49ers tight end George Kittle tweeted at Brown, a move that Kittle told Jim Rome during Super Bowl week was the result of a dare from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Brown responded positively to Kittle's tweet and his response spurred a retweet from Garoppolo himself. Brown then followed various 49ers-related accounts. All the emojis and tweets were one thing, but Brown's apparent interest in the 49ers seemed far more real when 49ers legend Jerry Rice joined the fray, telling 95.7 The Game, a radio station in San Francisco, that Brown wants to come to San Francisco "really bad." That was after Brown posted an image on his Instagram of a FaceTime conversation he'd had with Rice. Brown even went so far as to post a doctored photo of himself in a Niners uniform embracing Rice. In the end, even after Brown officially requested a trade Tuesday and thanked Steelers fans via Twitter, none of that stuff matters much because it doesn't account for the only variables that truly count: whether the Steelers will actually trade Brown, what the price would be if they do, whether the 49ers decision-makers are truly interested, what they'd be willing to give up and how that would compare to other offers the Steelers could get. At this point, the Steelers haven't been in a hurry to move Brown, though owner Art Rooney II has acknowledged that it's "hard to envision" Brown still with the team come training camp while also keeping the door open for a reconciliation. For their part, the Niners have not and will not publicly comment on potential interest in Brown out of deference to the NFL's tampering guidelines. But coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have long maintained they will always at least explore any option that could make the team better. With that in mind, here's a look at what Shanahan, Lynch & Co. must weigh when it comes to Brown. The case for acquiring Brown First, the easy part: Brown is one of the best receivers in the NFL and the 49ers have a pressing need at the position. Kendrick Bourne led San Francisco receivers last year with 42 catches for 487 yards. Over the past 15 seasons, the 49ers have not had a receiver post more than the 85 catches and 1,179 yards they got from Anquan Boldin in 2013. Since Brown became a full-time starter in 2011, he has averaged 103 receptions, 1,380 yards and nine touchdowns. In the past five seasons, Brown has averaged 115 catches, 1,529 yards and 12 touchdowns. He'd instantly be the best 49ers wideout since Terrell Owens, an easy fit in Shanahan's receiver-friendly scheme and the ideal complement to Kittle. He could be a bargain. If Pittsburgh trades Brown, it will accelerate the rest of his $19 million signing bonus to this year, eating $21.12 million in dead money on the salary cap. If the Niners traded for Brown before the fifth day of the league year, they'd be on the hook for cap numbers of $15.125 million in 2019, $11.3 million in 2020 and $12.5 million in 2021. For one of the league's best wideouts, that would be excellent value, especially since the Niners project to have between $60 million and $70 million in cap space. There is no A.J. Green or Julio Jones to be found in this year's draft class, meaning the Niners are unlikely to take one with the No. 2 overall pick or even after a trade down to a spot lower in the top 10. They could still find needed help at the position later on, but none would have the quick and significant impact of someone like Brown. Likewise, the free-agent market is barren when it comes to top-end wideouts. Antonio Brown would fill a glaring need for the 49ers, but there's plenty to weigh when it comes to acquiring the Steelers' talented receiver. Don Wright/AP The case against acquiring Brown<doc-sep>
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 02: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a 46 yard reception in the first quarter during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Heinz Field on December 2, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) After months of speculation, wide receiver Antonio Brown has officially requested to be traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Niner Noise looks at Brown’s value and how much the San Francisco 49ers should offer, if they do at all. 2019 was off to a great start for San Francisco 49ers fans, as wide receiver Antonio Brown, signifying his dissatisfaction with the Pittsburgh Steelers, tweeted at Niners tight end George Kittle with a simple emoji to let the world know his new preferred destination — San Francisco. Bringing in Brown would be huge for the 49ers. If he isn’t the best receiver in the NFL, he’s top three. His exceptional route running and ability to get open, that I’m sure head coach Kyle Shanahan salivates over, combined with his sure hands and overall remarkable playstyle, has culminated into gargantuan production for the bona fide star. However, like many celebrities, Brown’s fame has seemed to get into his head. He sat out a crucial playoff-determining Week 17 game for the Steelers and quit on his team, which is a huge red flag. If one player puts himself above the rest of his team, that’s going to lead to a lot of problems in terms of locker room culture. Besides quitting on his team, Brown has recently gotten into a string of legal trouble. Last month, he was involved in an alleged domestic dispute, but no arrests were made. And Brown’s lawyer claims that the accuser’s allegations are completely false. If the 49ers do trade for him, it will be a situation to monitor. Brown was also just found guilty of going over 100 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone, which is a very small offense in comparison to domestic issues, but still puts the receiver’s recent behavior in question. Here’s the thing — Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have made it clear that they want the locker room to be filled with good guys to establish a good locker-room culture. It’s worked so far, because you can see all the players giving their all and playing for each other deep into lost seasons. It’s a fine testament to how well these players gel together, emotionally, and bringing in one “diva” in Brown can derail the entire thing. And we all saw how much drama former 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster brought into the locker room. Fortunately, the team stuck together admirably through it. I honestly have no idea if the 49ers will trade for Brown or not. He has expressed his desire to play for San Francisco through social media, and he would take this team’s offense to the next level. However, his off-the-field baggage is risky, and perhaps the most discouraging thing about him is that he will turn 31 years old before the beginning of the 2019 season. This team is almost done with the rebuilding process, but it’s not out of the woods yet. It seems like Brown would be a better fit for a team that is in a position to win now. However, if the 49ers do decide to pull the trigger and trade for one of the top receivers in the game, the most they should give up is a third-round pick. Since Brown has publicly expressed his unhappiness with Pittsburgh like no other for the past couple of months, the Steelers essentially have no leverage. Brown’s age and recent legal troubles will also drag his trade value down, so a third rounder should be the most the 49ers give up. A second rounder would be too much since San Francisco has an early second-round pick. I’ve said a lot of negative things about Brown in this piece. But to be honest, I would be ecstatic if the 49ers decided to trade for him. Who wouldn’t? Brown is a big-name special talent that would provide a ton of help to this team that has recently struggled. Lynch just needs to get him at the right price.