San Francisco, CA
49ers: 3 Players San Francisco Must Target in Free Agency to Get Back to Super Bowl Contention
(Photo : Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – Nick Bosa (#97) of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a sack during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.
The San Francisco 49ers experienced a commendable campaign in 2023, finishing the regular season with a 12-5 record and securing the best standing in the entire NFC.
Come playoff time, they achieved close victories in the Divisional Round against the Green Bay Packers and the NFC title game against the Detroit Lions.
With the promising season, the Bay Area squad had the opportunity to elevate it into a truly memorable one by reaching Super Bowl 58.
However, their aspirations fell short in overtime, as they narrowly lost once again to the Kansas City Chiefs in the title decider with a final score of 25-22. The game was held at Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders home, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Niners aren’t exactly done contending for the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, the franchise needs to make a splash in free agency if they want to make it to the title game again and finally win.
Read more: Chiefs: 2 Moves Kansas City Must Make in Offseason to Win First-Ever Super Bowl 3-Peat
3 players San Francisco 49ers must target in free agency
1. Chase Young
One crucial player set to enter free agency that the Niners should prioritize securing lies within the team-defensive end Chase Young.
Having traded a 2024 third-round pick to acquire Young from the Washington Commanders at the deadline in September 2023, the team recognizes the value he brings.
Young’s performance in Super Bowl 58, where he recorded 1 solo tackle, 1 assist, and 1.0 sack, highlights his considerable potential. Allowing him to depart in free agency would be a significant setback for the 49ers.
Keeping Young as a part of the defensive lineup alongside Nick Bosa is a crucial long-term strategy for the 49ers.
The 24-year-old had 17 solo tackles, 8 assists, and 7.5 sacks in 16 games during the 2023 season.
2. Mekhi Becton
The 49ers face a notable need for improvement in the offensive line position on their roster.
Mekhi Becton, a former first-round pick chosen 11th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, was expected to contribute significantly. Unfortunately, knee injuries have hampered his career, limiting his participation to only 24 games over four seasons.
Despite facing setbacks, the 24-year-old Becton still has considerable room for growth, and the 49ers may offer him a fresh start to unleash his potential.
3. Brian Burns
Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns stands out as one of the best talents available in the free agency market.
At 25, the two-time Pro Bowl selection is entering his prime, immediately making him an attractive prospect for teams vying for the Super Bowl.
In the 2023 season, Burns delivered an impressive campaign with 32 solo tackles, 18 assists, 8.0 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery in 16 games.
Moreover, Burns boasts a remarkable track record throughout his career, with 16.5 sacks on 1,233 career snaps, averaging approximately 11 sacks per 800 snaps. This history establishes Burns as a valuable asset, significantly enhancing San Francisco’s defensive capabilities.
Related Article: Chiefs: Everything You Need to Know About the Influential Hunt Family Who Owns the Super Bowl-Winning Franchise
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San Francisco, CA
Gang of young punks, including 12-year-old, charged in $84K San Francisco robbery spree
A cadre of 10 juvenile delinquents — including a 12-year-old — were arrested for allegedly committing nearly two dozen retail thefts in San Francisco, racking up $84,000 in stolen merchandise during the spree, according to police.
The pint-sized punks had been causing mayhem across the city by the bay for months — with police linking them to a string of robberies that began back in August, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, citing cops.
The San Francisco Police Department was able to tie the members of the group — which includes an 18-year-old, one 12-year-old, three 14-year-olds, and three 15-year-olds — to robberies that mostly targeted pharmacy chains, the outlet reported.
The Burglary and Organized Crime Unit first noticed a pattern when a group allegedly turned-over a Walgreens on Sept. 23, which included a violent assault on an employee, the Chronicle reported.
That worker suffered “a serious head injury,” according to SFPD.
Investigators were then able to connect the group to several other similar smash-and-grabs.
In one robbery on Sept. 29, some in the group robbed a store on Castro Street of $15,000 in merchandise. A couple hours later, the group returned for another raid and pilfered $12,000 more in goods, according to the Chronicle.
Officials say the group is also linked to some higher-profile incidents.
In a Sept. 9 incident, one of the 14-year-olds flashed a gun at a store security guard at a shop on Mission Street as the group stole a cash register, cops say. That bad seed faces an assault with a deadly weapons charge.
Cops say a pair of the ne’er-do-wells — a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old — are responsible for a carjacking that took place on Nov. 5.
The 12-year-old is facing a slew of charges including assault likely to produce great bodily injury, three counts of second-degree robbery, seven counts of second-degree burglary, seven counts of grand theft, 10 counts of organized retail theft, and four counts of petty theft.
Brandon McClain, 18, is charged with four counts of second degree burglary, four counts of grand theft, and four counts of organized retail theft.
McClain is being held without bail, according to the Chronicle.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco police arrest 18-year-old, 7 juveniles accused of over 20 retail thefts
An 18-year-old along with seven juveniles, one as young as 12-years-old, have been arrested in connection with more than 20 retail thefts, San Francisco police announced Thursday.
According to officers, the investigation began following a robbery that took place Sep. 16 at the Walgreens on the 1100 block of Potrero Avenue. Police said several juvenile suspects concealed merchandise and ransacked the store.
When an employee asked the suspects to stop, the employee was attacked and suffered a serious head injury, police said.
During the investigation, officers from the Mission Station Anti-Vendor Enforcement Unit recognized five of the juvenile suspects while investigating an assault that also took place on Sep. 16 at 24th and Mission streets.
Police said the suspects were taken into custody for the incident at Walgreens.
Investigators reviewed other incidents and noticed similarities in suspect description, victims and motive. With the help of Walgreens Asset Protection, investigators identified eight suspects involved in at least 23 retail thefts at the pharmacy chain’s San Francisco locations.
In a statement Thursday, police listed some of the incidents allegedly linked to the suspects, including an Aug. 18 incident at the store on 1333 Castro Street where one of the suspects jumped over the front counter and stole a cash register and a Sep. 9 incident at the store on 2690 Mission Street in which one of the suspects brandished a firearm at a security guard.
The eight suspects are also linked to two Sep. 29 robberies at the Castro Street location. Police said $15,000 in merchandise was stolen during the first robbery, before the group returned with five additional accomplices and stole another $12,000 in goods about two hours later.
A total of $84,000 in merchandise was stolen, police said.
The only adult in the case, 18-year-old Brandon McClain of Hayward, was arrested on suspicion of four counts of second degree burglary, four counts of grand theft and four counts of organized retail theft.
Police said the youngest suspect is a 12-year-old boy from San Francisco. The 12-year-old has been charged with assault likely to produce great bodily injury, three counts of second-degree robbery, seven counts of second-degree burglary, seven counts of grand theft, 10 counts of organized retail theft and four counts of petty theft.
The additional suspects have been identified as a 14-year-old male from Pittsburg, two 14-year-old boys from San Francisco, a 15-year-old male from Oakland, a 15-year-old male from Oakley and a 15-year-old male from San Francisco. All of the remaining suspects are facing multiple charges, including second-degree burglary, grand theft and retail theft.
One of the 14-year-olds from San Francisco faces additional charges of assault with a deadly weapon, assault likely to produce great bodily injury and battery causing serious bodily injury.
McClain, along with the 15-year-old from San Francisco, have also been accused of carjacking following a Nov. 5 incident near Geneva and Cayuga avenues.
According to jail records, McClain is being held without bail and his next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
The identities of the juvenile suspects are being withheld due to their ages.
Anyone with additional information about these cases is asked to call the SFPD tip line at 415-575-4444 or text TIP411, beginning the message with SFPD.
San Francisco, CA
Big-rig crash snarls Bay Bridge traffic for hours
A jackknifed semi-truck blocked four lanes of eastbound Interstate 80 on the Bay Bridge Thursday, causing major delays during the rainy morning commute.
California Highway Patrol officers responded to a report of a solo truck collision at 5:12 a.m. just east of the First Street onramp, according to CHP logs. Officers arrived to learn the driver, who sustained head injuries and was seen limping, had lost control of the vehicle. The driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and was in stable condition, the San Francisco Fire Department said in a statement.
The truck suffered major front-end damage but remained upright. Authorities warned it would take hours to clear the wreckage and encouraged drivers to use other routes.
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