The San Francisco 49ers will field a significantly different roster when they take the field in September. Several stars have departed, including wide receiver Deebo Samuel, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and cornerback Charvarius Ward. The defensive line is also undergoing a major overhaul following the departures of Javon Hargrave, Leonard Floyd, and Maliek Collins.
The 49ers' offseason has focused on reducing cash spending in preparation for quarterback Brock Purdy's future contract, which is expected to take up a significant portion of the salary cap. The team will look to the draft to replenish its roster and build around Purdy.
Searching for a silver lining in each team's offseason, Pro Football Focus (PFF) contributor Dalton Wasserman sees the 49ers' long-term approach as a positive. However, he doesn't expect it to translate into immediate success.
"It seems the 49ers are using this offseason to prepare themselves to build their roster around a massive Brock Purdy contract extension," Wasserman wrote. "That approach may see them struggle in 2025, though they still have a nice mix of stars and young players who could keep them in playoff contention. This is a prudent approach for San Francisco after the team contended for championships for the past half-decade."
The 49ers hold 11 selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, starting with the 11th overall pick and including six picks in the first four rounds. They'll need to use those wisely, finding immediate contributors if they hope to compete in the NFC West next season and rebound from their six-win 2024 campaign. A strong draft and a last-place schedule could help them achieve that goal.