49ers harvested three corners, zero inside linebackers in draft

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: GM Trent Baalke says there's a reason the 49ers drafted three cornerbacks but no inside linebackers in recent draft. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Why-Did-49ers-Select-Three-Cornerbacks-but-no-Inside-Linebackers-in-the-Draft-378406961.html

Was Raiders' selection of Jihad Ward a reach?

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Illinois defensive lineman Jihad Ward was taken by Oakland in the second round despite a down final college season and subpar numbers at the NFL Combine. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Jihad-Ward-Knows-He-Has-Something-to-Prove-378408251.html

Billed as slow and undersized, 49ers' Taylor remains confident

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Florida back Kelvin Taylor, the son of NFL standout Fred Taylor, dropped into the sixth round of the draft but believes he has plenty to offer the 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Taylor-is-Getting-Chance-to-Prove-Doubters-Wrong-378272371.html

Raiders' Carr breaks into NFL's Top 100 Players ranking

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: For the first time, qhttp://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Carr--378265071.html

uarterback Derek Carr has been voted by NFL players into the NFL's annual Top 100 Players ranking.

Niners believe new guard Garnett can power a running attack

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Some draft pundits criticized the 49ers for trading up into the first round to get Stanford guard Joshua Garnett, but the Niners are big believers in his power as a run blocker. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Believe-Garnett-Can-Make-a-Powerful-Impact-378120891.html

Raiders' Walford reportedly injured in ATV crash

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Tight end Clive Walford is rehabbing after surgery that was necessary after he hurt a knee in an ATV accident. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Reports-Indicate-Walford-Was-Injured-in-ATV-Accident-378113621.html

Connor Cook poses challenge to Raiders' McGloin

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Oakland's fourth-round draft pick, quarterback Connor Cook, could finally be the one to challenge Matt McGloin as Raiders backup QB. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Cook-Will-Challenge-McGloin-For-Raiders-Backup-QB-Role-377965591.html

49ers Hoping Burbridge can help wide receiver corps

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Michigan State wideout Aaron Burbridge doesn't have great speed or hands, but he produced big numbers for the Spartans. The sixth-round pick believes he can help the 49ers. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/New-49ers-Receiver-Aaron-Burbridge-Brings-Heart-377961081.html

After her first baby, former college soccer player Ann Ross felt out of sorts ... until she discovered a fitness class for new mothers

Former West Virginia soccer standout Ann Ross has had three sons, but she hasn't let that stop her from an active and challenging workout regimen. Ross says Stroller Strides classes got her outside and moving again. Now she teaches those classes while pushing her babies in their strollers, and is playing soccer again. My story on Ross for the Active San Diego series in the Union-Tribune Health section: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/may/02/class-for-new-moms-restores-exuberant-lifestyle/

49ers' sixth-round QB selection has major skills

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: Coming out of high school to Florida, Jeff Driskel was billed as the next Tim Tebow. But an injury and other issues eventually led to his transfer to Louisiana Tech, where he starred. Now the speedy, strong-armed QB will get a chance to play in Chip Kelly's spread attack. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Newest-Quarterback-Took-Roundabout-Route-to-Draft-377817561.html

Raiders draft a small Texas Tech running back who plays big

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Raiders' fifth-round pick DeAndre Washington, a 5-foot-8 powerhouse from Texas Tech, is a versatile, tough-blocking, tackle-breaking machine. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-Washington-Could-be-a-Big-Addition-in-a-Small-Package-377822681.html

On Draft's second day, 49ers bypass QB to take corner

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: With former Michigan State QB Connor Cook there for the taking in Round 3, the 49ers elected to take corner Will Redmond of Mississippi State, who's coming off ACL surgery. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Bypass-QB-in-Round-3-Select-Cornerback-377658201.html

Raiders load up on defense on Day 2 of draft

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Reggie McKenzie selects a pair of defensive ends in Rounds 2 and 3 of 2016 draft. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Raiders-McKenzie-Goes-on-Offense-to-Get-Defense-on-Day-2-377659331.html

It was love at first stroke for Megan Welsh, a transplanted Philly girl and an up-and-coming standout in outrigger canoe racing

Megan Welsh had never heard of outrigger canoe racing until she moved from Philadelphia to San Diego to take a nursing job. But once she discovered it, the sport has become her passion. My story about her for ESPNW's Weekend Warriors series. http://espn.go.com/espnw/life-style/article/15421790/weekend-warriors-megan-welsh-outrigger-canoe-racer-philly

McKenzie goes safety first in draft with Karl Joseph

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: With their top pick in the draft, the Raiders take W. Virginia safety Karl Joseph, a big-time hitter who's coming off a knee injury. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/McKenzie-Goes-Safety-First-for-Raiders-377524041.html

Niners get Buckner to pair with Armstead at defensive ends

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: For the second straight year, the 49ers take a defensive end from Oregon with their No. 1 pick. This time it's DeForest Buckner. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Buckner-Joins-Niners-and-Former-Teammate-Armstead-377520911.html

Draft preview: 49ers will take Jack, a QB and trade Kaepernick

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: If UCLA linebacker Myles Jack slides to No. 7, 49ers GM Trent Baalke won't be able to resist him. Then the 49ers will take a QB in the second or third round. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/If-He-Slides-to-No-7-Linebacker-Myles-Jack-Will-be-49ers-Pick-377258451.html

Draft preview: Raiders will take defensive tackle Rankins

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Expect Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie to use his No. 1 pick on Louisville DT Sheldon Rankins. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Prediction-McKenzie-Will-Draft-Rankins-in-First-Round-377265871.html

In Gruden's view, Carr is Raiders' franchise catalyst

Daily Raiders blog for NBC Bay Area website: Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden believes QB Derek Carr is the main reason for Oakland's rise and its ability to attract free-agent talent. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Carrs-Selection-in-2014-Was-Key-to-Raiders-Turnaround-377127821.html

Thursday could be day of quarterback roulette

Daily 49ers blog for NBC Bay Area website: The first round of the NFL draft is Thursday. It also could be the day for swaps of veteran quarterbacks. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Niners-Could-be-Involved-in-Draft-Day-Quarterback-Swap-Meet-377136761.html