Kevin Mitchell, former NFL linebacker, died in his sleep at the age of 36. Mitchell died overnight Sunday at his home in Ashburn, near the Washington Redskins' training facility, according to the team. An autopsy was performed Monday by the Virginia state medical examiner's office. The cause of death was not immediately announced. Mitchell was drafted in the second round out of Syracuse in 1994 by the San Francisco 49ers, who moved the undersized college defensive lineman to linebacker. He played with San Francisco until 1997, then signed with New Orleans (1998-99). He played his final four seasons (2000-03) with the Redskins. "Anyone who knew him was touched by his smile, joy for life and love of his family," Washington owner Dan Snyder said. "Anyone who ever played with him or against him never forgot it. He earned our deepest respect."

The Seahawks traded Darrell Jackson, their leading wide receiver, to San Francisco on Sunday for a fourth-round draft choice, No. 124 overall. Jackson was leading the NFL in touchdown receptions late last season before he sustained a turf toe injury and missed three games. He became expendable when Seattle acquired Deion Branch from New England last September, then signed the former Super Bowl MVP to a $39 million contract.

The 49ers traded a first-round pick in 2008 for the 28th pick in Saturday's draft and selected Central Michigan tackle Joe Staley. The Patriots had the pick originally, but sent it to the Niners for a first-round pick in 2008 and a fourth-round pick in Saturday's draft. With their initial first-round pick, the Niners took Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis 11th overall. The 6-5, 305-pound Staley, who started his college career as a tight end, could be groomed as a replacement for Kwame Harris at right tackle.

The San Francisco 49ers, one of the more aggressive teams this offseason in terms of acquisitions, enter this weekend's draft with a league-high eight picks in the first four rounds: one first-round selection, a second, two thirds and four fourths. On the eve of the draft, the Niners already were poised to maximize the value of one of those fourth-round picks. According to league sources, San Francisco and division rival Seattle are working toward a trade that would send Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson to the Niners in exchange for one of their fourth-rounders, believed to be the Niners' third selection in the round, No. 124 overall. The New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans, whose new general manager Mike Reinfeldt came over from Seattle, are also believed to be talking with Seattle about Jackson.

49ers head coach Mike Nolan said his preference would be to take a defensive player with the team's top pick, the 11th overall, Saturday. A defensive newcomer could aid the team's transition to the 3-4 scheme and further strengthen a unit bolstered by the free-agent signings of four new starters, including prized cornerback Nate Clements. "Most of our draft choices thus far have gone on the offensive side of the ball," Nolan said. "I would like to think that, if it comes our way, a defensive player would possibly be there. We would like to do that. "At the same time, we won't shove fellas up the board because of a need factor. We're still in need of as many good football players as we can have."

A new stadium for the 49ers football team would create more than 2,200 jobs and generate $249 million each year in new economic activity in Santa Clara County, according to an economic impact study commissioned by the team. The 49ers called the numbers a "conservative" view of the boost that a 68,000-seat stadium would give to the city of Santa Clara, about 45 miles south of San Francisco, and the surrounding areas.