We are just over a week away from the start of NFL free agency, and predictions are floating around regarding what the San Francisco 49ers might do. The team has several needs, in particular at wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive line. You can throw linebacker and defensive back into that mix, as well.
The 49ers have plenty of needs to address this offseason.
On Sunday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano co-wrote an article entitled, "2026 NFL combine buzz: Intel on free agency, trades, QBs," in which they went around the league, mentioning free agents, players who could be traded, and what teams may be looking to do.
Fowler mentioned San Francisco and who the 49ers might be interested in adding. "The 49ers are a sneaky contender for some of the good free agents along the defensive line and at wide receiver," Fowler wrote. "They want a disruptive interior rusher to pair with Nick Bosa, for example. 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."
Franklin-Myers would be an excellent pick-up for the 49ers. As a member of the New York Jets and Denver Broncos, Franklin-Myers has been relatively healthy in his career. That would be a welcome change for a team that has dealt with as many injuries as any team in the NFL.
In 2024, Franklin-Myers had seven sacks. Last season, he had 7.5 sacks. In 2025, the 49ers had only 20 sacks as a team, which ranked last in the league. Compare that to Aldon Smith, who in 2012 had 19.5 sacks on his own. And he did that in only 16 games.
In 2025, Cleveland's Myles Garrett out-sacked the 49ers, bringing down the opposing QB 23 times. To be fair, the 49ers played most of the season without Bosa, their top pass rusher. Still, this is an area in which they must improve.
Even with the lack of QB pressures and sacks, wide receiver may be the 49ers' biggest need, with plenty of uncertainty at the position. Ricky Pearsall should be back, although some believe he might be traded. Pearsall showed flashes when he was healthy, but that wasn't very often. Demarcus Robinson was underwhelming last season. Jacob Cowing missed the entire year. Jordan Watkins barely played. And the team will likely lose Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne to free agency.
And that doesn't even mention the Brandon Aiyuk fiasco.
So, the 49ers need help at wideout. They'll likely draft a wide receiver and bring in a veteran receiver. Fowler mentioned Doubs and Nailor. But would either of those guys fill the hole in San Francisco's lineup?
Doubs has played in four NFL seasons, but he's yet to have 1,000 yards receiving or 100 catches in a single season. His highest number of catches came in 2023 when he snagged 59 passes. Last season, Doubs appeared in 16 games and had 724 receiving yards. Because he played in Green Bay, he would already know Kyle Shanahan's offense (for the most part). So, his transition should be easier than most.
Nailor is also a four-year veteran. In his time with the Minnesota Vikings, he's only started 16 career games. 2025 was his best statistical year, hauling in 29 passes for 444 yards and four touchdowns. Fowler wrote of Nailor, "He was never fully utilized in Minnesota, but the coaches love him."
The question the 49ers must ask is whether either wide receiver can be a true number-one wideout. Will San Francisco even be looking for a WR1? Are they considering bringing back Deebo Samuel, as some believe they will? Regardless, this is a position the 49ers have to get right in 2026.
The ESPN article also mentions other players who have been rumored as potential 49ers targets via free agency or trade, such as Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown, and Mike Evans. However, Fowler and Graziano did not mention San Francisco when discussing those players.
Comments