The 49ers have scheduled two days of organized team activities. It is rare that teams use any of their allotted OTA days before the draft. But this is no ordinary draft.
The 49ers believe they have a roster ready to do some damage in the NFC – or, at least, in the NFC West. But they believe they need some help on the offensive line.
While coach Mike Singletary is concentrating on the draft – he’s taking a scouting trip with director of player personnel Trent Baalke – the 49ers will hit the practice field today and Tuesday in Santa Clara. (The practices are off-limits to the general public.)
New offensive line coach Mike Solari will get his first opportunity to do some hands-on coaching of his players to evaluate what he inherits and arrive at some conclusions about what he needs from the upcoming draft.
The 49ers brought in veteran free-agent guard Chester Pitts for a visit a couple weeks ago. Pitts has not made a decision, apparently narrowing his choices to the 49ers, Seahawks, Lions and the Texans, the team for which he played his first eight NFL seasons.
This is a critical time for the incumbent 49ers offensive linemen. Starting left guard David Baas has yet to sign his tender as a restricted free agent. Baas has been a regular attendee at the 49ers’ offseason program – apparently signing a waiver to participate.
That is telling. Most unsigned restricted free agents have stayed away from their respective offseason programs. But Baas knows he is competing for his spot, so he needs to remain active this time of year. The 49ers control his rights through this season, but his starting job would appear to be in jeopardy if the club acquires Pitts. We’ll see in a couple hours if Baas, indeed, is on the practice field today.
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Restricted free agent Ahmad Brooks and franchise player Aubrayo Franklin – neither of whom has signed their tenders – have been participating in the offseason program, up to this point.
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