The San Francisco 49ers will face a tougher road through the NFC West in 2026 after the Los Angeles Rams showed they are all-in on their quest for another Super Bowl by acquiring star pass rusher Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade.
If the 49ers hope to keep pace in a loaded division, improving their pass rush may need to be a priority.
San Francisco's defense struggled to generate pressure last season, recording just 20 sacks—the fewest in the NFL. The team addressed the position during the draft by selecting Romello Height in the third round, and hopes the returns of Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams from ACL injuries will provide an effective boost.
Still, many believe the defensive front could still benefit from adding a veteran.
CBS Sports' Garrett Podell recently identified ideal landing spots for 10 remaining free agents, linking three to San Francisco—including two pass rushers.
Jadeveon Clowney
The first is Jadeveon Clowney, who recorded 8.5 sacks for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 despite not making his season debut until Week 4. The veteran edge rusher has accumulated 66.5 career sacks and remains a productive presence off the edge.
"Yes, San Francisco gets both 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year edge rusher Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and 2025 11th overall pick edge rusher Mykel Williams (torn ACL and torn meniscus) back in 2026," Podell wrote. "Adding a healthy, proven pass rush threat along the edge in Clowney would relieve some of the urgency on those two to rush back from their injuries.
"Plus, Clowney already has plenty of pass-rush chemistry with new 49ers defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa after suiting up together in Dallas last season."
Joey Bosa
If Clowney isn't an option, Podell believes Joey Bosa could make sense for San Francisco—a pairing that has long intrigued the media and analysts.
Although Bosa has totaled just five sacks in each of the last two seasons and hasn't reached double-digit sacks since 2021, Podell argues that the pass rusher was an underrated piece of the Buffalo Bills defense last season.
"He's not the same guy he was in the late 2010s because of injuries, but Pro Football Focus grades him as their seventh-highest graded pass-rushing edge defender with an 88.7 grade in 2025," Podell wrote. "He also led the league with five forced fumbles. Bosa can help stabilize any team's pass rush this offseason.
"As mentioned with Clowney, the 49ers were the NFL's worst pass rush by a country mile. Going to San Francisco and teaming up with his brother Nick just makes too much sense."
A reunion of the Bosa brothers would undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about 49ers storylines during the upcoming season.
Deebo Samuel reunion?
Podell's third suggested fit is a familiar name for The Faithful—wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
He acknowledges that the veteran wideout has lost a step since some impressive years with San Francisco. Samuel averaged a career-low 10.1 yards per reception in 2025 and has failed to top 900 receiving yards in each of the last four seasons, suggesting his best years may be behind him.
"Samuel isn't the same bulldozing Swiss Army knife that once served as the focal point of Kyle Shanahan's San Francisco 49ers offense," Podell wrote. "He can still knock would-be tacklers over in the open field after the catch, as evidenced by his playmaking against the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas, but his separation in his route running is slipping. Samuel still has value in 2026, but it's not what it once was in his prime."
Samuel might benefit from returning to head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, where he once flourished. For the 49ers, the move could also help lighten the workload on running back Christian McCaffrey, who led the NFL with 413 touches last season.
"McCaffrey also turns 30 years old on June 7," Podell wrote. "Bringing back Samuel to fill in for McCaffrey on some of the checkdowns and screens in Shanahan's offense could maximize the former's skill set while preserving the latter for postseason football.
"Samuel would also be insurance for the inevitable midseason injury for any of the following trio: Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, or Mike Evans."
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