The San Francisco 49ers are anticipated to be extra of a participant in free company this offseason compared to final, the place they prioritized spending money on extending their core, whereas letting most of their key free brokers stroll.
The group does have a few wants, particularly at vast receiver and defensive position, but in addition has seven draft picks within the 2026 NFL Draft to assist bolster the roster. Last 12 months, San Francisco made an effort to get youthful as a group after being one of many older rosters within the NFL, and that philosophy may proceed this offseason once more.
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But ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote that the 49ers are a sneaky contender for among the top free brokers at defensive position and vast receiver in his post-Combine pocket book on Sunday.
“The 49ers are a sneaky contender for some of the good free agents along the defensive line and at wide receiver. They want a disruptive interior rusher to pair with Nick Bosa, for example,” Fowler wrote. “John Franklin-Myers is the top option there. At wideout, Green Bay’s Romeo Doubs is considered a good fit for San Francisco’s offense and a potential option, along with Minnesota’s Jalen Nailor.”
San Francisco may use an inside defensive lineman to work alongside 2025 draftees Alfred Collins and C.J. West. While each gamers confirmed promise as rookies, including some extra pass-rushing juice there would go a lengthy method to bolstering the No. 32-ranked move rush within the NFL in 2025.
An edge rusher would additionally make sense to enrich Bosa, Mykel Williams, and Bryce Huff, however the 49ers don’t have to spend vital cash at the place with the depth they’ve coming again.
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Wide receiver, although, can be a place that is smart so as to add a free agent. The 49ers have Jauan Jennings hitting the open market, and he may worth himself out of San Francisco’s vary. While they do have Ricky Pearsall again as a projected starter, the 49ers might want to fill the opposite two beginning spots if Jennings departs.
One of these may very well be stuffed in free company by a Doubs or Nailor, whereas the 49ers may goal the opposite in what’s trying to be a speedy draft for receivers. Speed is the largest want for San Francisco on the boundary after their veteran choices struggled with separation final 12 months.
The 49ers have over $35 million in cap area at the second, and that ought to rise earlier than the brand new league 12 months with some potential releases and an extension for Trent Williams to decrease his $38 million cap hit for 2026. So, they’ll have some cash to spend in free company, and will very effectively be a sneaky contender for a top free agent.