It may be too early to crown the winners of the 2026 NFL free agency period, but that hasn't stopped ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz from identifying several teams that have significantly improved their rosters this offseason—including the San Francisco 49ers.
Schatz named five teams he believes made the biggest strides through free agency: the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the 49ers.
For San Francisco, Schatz highlighted the team's most significant addition—veteran wide receiver Mike Evans, who signed with the 49ers after a long run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The signing helps stabilize a wide receiver group undergoing significant changes. The 49ers have already seen departures from Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore, while the team is widely expected to push Brandon Aiyuk out the door. Meanwhile, Jauan Jennings also appears unlikely to return.
"The 49ers made only one major signing, but it was a really good one," Schatz wrote. "Evans is exactly the kind of receiver that the 49ers were missing in a couple of ways. He's a large (6-foot-5, 231-pound) perimeter threat who can win on 50-50 balls, and he's an experienced veteran who can be an important locker room presence."
Schatz also noted that the 49ers will be hoping they get the version of Evans that dominated for most of his career.
"The injury-riddled 49ers have to hope they are getting the Evans from most of his career (11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons) instead of last year's Evans (who dealt with hamstring and collarbone injuries and played just eight games)," he added.
Schatz also pointed to a potentially underrated addition along the offensive line: tackle Vederian Lowe, who joins the 49ers from the Patriots.
"Lowe is not the best player out there; his pass block win rate was 89.2% last season, which is below average, although his run block win rate was an above-average 75.7%," Schatz wrote.
"However, he fits well in San Francisco as a swing tackle just in case something happens with Trent Williams' contract situation or in case 37-year-old Williams comes back but gets hurt during the 2026 season."
While the 49ers have not been the most aggressive team in free agency, their targeted additions appear to address key roster needs. For San Francisco to compete in a tough NFC West in 2026, those moves will need to deliver real impact.
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