Erik Engle· Mar 20, 2026
Engel expects the 49ers and Trent Williams to rework the deal and stay together, thinks Williams retires after this season, doubts Monroe Freeling lasts to pick 27, believes Brandon Aiyuk is done in San Francisco with Washington the likely destination, predicts the 49ers compete for the NFC West and that whoever wins the division gets a first-round bye, and thinks Mac Jones could fetch a third-round pick or better.
“I think the biggest question mark about Monroe Freeling is is is he going to be available when the 40 pick at 27? And I I personally think that that answer is no.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On 49ers (podcast) · read the original →
5 checkable claims — 3 trade and signing calls, 1 mock draft pick and 1 seeding, byes and home field — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 6 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
5 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Seeding, Byes and Home FieldSan Francisco 49ersMar 20, 2026
San Francisco 49ers to take the top seed
“I think whatever team is coming out of the West is going to earn that first round buy.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Trade and Signing CallsMac JonesMar 20, 2026
Mac Jones to move
“I mean, you could get probably at least, at least a third round for Mac Jones.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Brandon Aiyuk to move to Washington Commanders
“as the league kinda thinks that it's a foregone conclusion that Iuka is going to the Washington commanders”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Trent Williams to move to San Francisco 49ers
“I don't foresee a a scenario in which they get rid of Trent Williams.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
- Mock Draft PicksMonroe FreelingMar 20, 2026
Monroe Freeling to be picked “before No. 27 overall”
“I think the biggest question mark about Monroe Freeling is is is he going to be available when the 40 pick at 27? And I I personally think that that answer is no.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 81Simms went through every Week 2 game with predicted final scores, picking the Texans, Bears, Steelers (as an upset), Packers, Ravens, Eagles, Buccaneers, Panthers, Jaguars, Seahawks, Cowboys, 49ers, Chargers, Chiefs and Rams to win. He also reiterated that Denver was his preseason Super Bowl pick while predicting the Broncos would fall to 0-2.
- Chris SimmsScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 88Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver.
- Richie BradshawScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Bradshaw picks the 49ers to beat the Cardinals in their Week 3 matchup, predicting a final score of 27-14 in San Francisco's favor.
- Richard ShermanScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 83Sherman picked winners and several exact scores across the Week 3 slate, favoring Seattle, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Detroit, Green Bay, Carolina, New Orleans, Baltimore, the Rams, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Kansas City, Minnesota, the Giants, Jacksonville and Houston, and named Kenneth Walker his MVP.
- Colin CowherdGame Outcome Picks · San Francisco 49ersHit · 100The co-host (identified only as "Mitchell") made his own Week 3 picks, including blowout wins for Seattle and San Francisco, Cincinnati 27-17, Detroit 37-13, Denver 24-21 over the Rams, and predicted Jonah Coleman takes over the Broncos' running back role.
- Tyler SullivanScore Predictions · San Francisco 49ersHit · 90Sullivan projects final scores for every Week 3 game, including a Bills blowout of the reeling Chargers, a Chiefs rout in Miami, a Seahawks win over a Mariota-led Washington, and the Saints beating the Raiders in their home opener. He also expects Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Jaxson Dart all to be sidelined in Week 3, with Marcus Mariota starting for Washington.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Fox SportsTrade and Signing Calls · Austin EkelerMiss · 0The piece reports, citing ESPN, that Carolina is expected to sign veteran running back Austin Ekeler with Jonathon Brooks sidelined.
- Steve KubitzaTrade and Signing Calls · Za'Darius SmithHit · 100Kubitza suggests that Kevin Stefanski's Falcons may lure veteran pass rusher Za'Darius Smith away from Cleveland, signing him in Atlanta instead of the Browns.
- Mary Kay CabotTrade and Signing Calls · Za'Darius SmithMiss · 0Cabot reported that Za'Darius Smith is expected to sign with the Browns, possibly as early as Sunday, after working out for the team.
- Brandon CarneyTrade and Signing Calls · Austin EkelerMiss · 0Carney drafted a team of rookies he expects to make an immediate fantasy impact (headlined by Karnell Tate and Makai Lemon), predicted landing spots for the remaining big-name free agents, and gave way-too-early division winners, wild cards and award picks — Patriots, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Eagles, Rams, Vikings and Saints as division champs with Joe Burrow as MVP.
- Adam CarlsonTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Carlson names three Vikings he expects could be traded before the end of September: quarterback J.J. McCarthy, wide receiver Jordan Addison and linebacker Ivan Pace.
- Greg AumanTrade and Signing Calls · J.J. McCarthyHit · 100Auman argues no quarterback is likely to replicate Sam Darnold's turnaround this season, but names five candidates. He expects Miami to hold a very high pick in the 2027 draft, and thinks J.J. McCarthy will eventually be traded for a late-round pick or cut by the Vikings.