Even without a general manager in place, the 49ers’ personnel department is going about its usual duties in preparation for free agency and the draft.
The 49ers have a full complement of scouts at the Senior Bowl this week in Mobile, Alabama, according to sources, while the team’s top individuals in the pro personnel department continue to work at the team’s headquarters in Santa Clara to prepare for free agency.
The 49ers have narrowed their known list of general manager candidates to Arizona vice president of player personnel Terry McDonough and Minnesota assistant general manager George Paton. Both men are scheduled to interview with presumptive coach Kyle Shanahan on Saturday in Atlanta.
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CEO Jed York announced the firings of general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Chip Kelly shortly after the conclusion of the 49ers' 2-14 season.
Typically, a new GM hire at this time of year will immediately hire a person or two to join his new organization. But the bulk of the team’s personnel department remains intact through free agency and the draft.
This is generally considered a chance for those who remain with a team’s scouting department to prove themselves to the new boss. York said on Jan. 2 that the new general manager and head coach will have full power to assemble their own staffs.
The 49ers have lagged behind most of the other NFL teams in signing their own practice squad players to reserve/future contracts since the end of the regular season. The only player retain thus far is offensive lineman Norman Price. The team has also free agents signed wide receiver Rashad Ross, kicker Nick Rose and punter Brock Miller to reserve/future contracts.
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Assistant general manager Tom Gamble and director of pro personnel Mike Williams are most likely responsible for the 49ers' free-agent signings up to this point. Matt Malaspina, the 49ers' director of college scouting, is among those at the Senior Bowl.