The 49ers let Dre Greenlaw walk in free agency, but they may have found his successor in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Perhaps the hardest free-agent loss the San Francisco 49ers suffered this offseason is linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who rebuffed an offer to return to the Bay Area on a one-year deal and instead opted to join the Denver Broncos on a three-year contract in the opening wave of the league new year.
It'll be a tough loss to absorb, leaving the positional cupboard notably bare behind All-Pro Fred Warner.
Yet the loss fits the Niners' storyline from all offseason, one that stresses getting both younger and cheaper after being one of the oldest teams in the NFL in 2024 and the top-spending team in the league.
It also creates a void, one that'll need to be filled.
San Francisco's scouting brass sent a massive contingent to the University of Oregon's pro day this week, including general manager John Lynch, who was present to observe the many soon-to-be former Ducks who'll be eligible in this April's NFL Draft.
One player, in particular, seemed to catch a lot of interest.
49ers may be honing in on Oregon's Jeffrey Bassa
Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa already met with the 49ers, according to Sportskeeda NFL insider Tony Pauline, so there's already some established interest there. And the inside backer showed up well in coverage drills, per Pauline, which would be important for the Niners in finding a Greenlaw replacement.
However, the apparent interest goes beyond just the observations. According to Brett Austin Taylor of the local KEZI 9 news, Bassa and Lynch were chatting for a "nice long while:"
Jeffrey Bassa and John Lynch have been talking for a nice long while 👀👀.#GoDucks|@KEZI9Sports
— Brett Austin Taylor (@Brett_Taylor94) March 18, 2025
Bassa has shown up in Niner Noise mock drafts and prospect evaluations already, so it's a self-refreshing indication for San Francisco to apparently have such interest.
Of course, the extended conversation between the likely day-two draftee and the 49ers GM doesn't mean much beyond what it simply is: a conversation.
But, it could also be a legit effort by Lynch to get to know a preferred target a little more.
Ultimately, the Niners' plan on Bassa will be revealed once the draft actually rolls around at the end of April.
Hat tip to 49ers Webzone for the find.