49ers Draft: AI & Scouts Team Up

0:00It's April 20th. California News Today starts now. AI powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. The San Francisco 49ers are leaning hard on artificial intelligence to shape their NFL draft game plan this week, zeroing in on defensive ends. Offensive lineman and wide receivers. General manager John Lynch says every team is jumping on AI now and it's like having a smart assistant spit out solid ideas without needing to be a tech whiz. With just six picks left, including number 27 in the first round, they're running simulations to game out every move. They're already short on selections after trading away picks in rounds three through seven for players like defensive tackle, Osa Odequizua, who's now on the roster. Lynch expects a top heavy first round to spark trades and dropping back from their spot makes sense to grab more picks, especially with only six total entering the draft. Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan and their 10th year together are chill about letting the board come to them

1:01rather than forcing trades up. Nearly the whole roster showed for the voluntary offseason program kickoff. Monday, including tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner, both. Injury free and full speed ahead. On the trade front, talks are happening for wide receiver Brandon Ayuk. Though Lynch puts the odds low, he's still on the team for now. The past rush needs work after a league low 26 last year, but they're banking on healthy returns and new blood like Odequizua. As the draft unfolds Thursday, the 49ers stay flexible, blending AI smarts with scout work to handle whatever shakes out, keeping their eyes on. Building depth down under in Australia comes September.