After having one of the oldest rosters in the NFL in 2024, the San Francisco 49ers made it a goal to get younger last offseason, allowing several veteran free agents to walk, while looking to the draft for their replacements.
As a result, the 49ers had a ton of rookies play last season, while still making the playoffs as one of the NFL’s best stories. Despite an injury-riddled campaign, San Francisco still nearly won the NFC West and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs before being bounced
by the Seattle Seahawks.
This offseason, with money to spend and clear areas of need, the 49ers looked to add in free agency and ended up with improvements at wide receiver and linebacker, among other positions. They also traded for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, providing some much-needed experience at the position.
Still, the 49ers will be relying on younger talent in a lot of areas, and have some questions heading into training camp. So, is there any places where the 49ers could still look to add to their roster this offseason?
Offensive Line
The 49ers signed Brett Toth, Vederian Lowe, and Robert Jones this offseason, while drafting Carver Willis and Enrique Cruz Jr. Still, they could look to add some more offensive line depth.
At the moment, it looks like the 49ers will have an open competition at left guard between Toth, Jones, and 2025 seventh-round pick Connor Colby. It’s a good test to see if one of the three emerges as a formidable option next to Trent Williams.
If that isn’t the case, though, free agency still does have a number of veterans who would make sense on one-year deals to fill that void and give San Francisco an even better offensive line in 2026.
The 49ers could also look for better depth. At tackle, Vederian Lowe is a top backup option, but the 49ers still have Brandon Parker and Austen Pleasants from last season. There could be better options.
On the interior, Nick Zakelj and Drake Nugent are the other options alongside Toth and Jones. We’ll see who ends up making the 53-man roster, but there could be some shuffling there come camp time.
Pass rush
The 49ers are relying more on younger players for their pass rush in 2026 alongside Nick Bosa. On the edge, Mykel Williams, Romello Height, and Sam Okuayinonu are the top options. All three are young, developing talents, but none are proven pass rushers, as the 49ers had with Bryce Huff last season. Adding a veteran there would make a ton of sense.
Similarly, on the interior, the 49ers don’t have a proven pass rusher outside of Osa Odighizuwa, with Alfred Collins, C.J. West, Keion White, Evan Anderson, and Gracen Halton being some of the younger options. After ranking 32nd in the NFL last year in sacks, San Francisco may need a bit more juice getting to the quarterback.
Running Back
Running back is another position where the 49ers are going the younger route, with Jordan James, Kaelon Black, Isaac Guerendo, and Patrick Taylor Jr. being the top backups currently to Christian McCaffrey.
The 49ers have publicly said they want to get McCaffrey more help, but don’t have a proven option in the room behind him right now, especially as a pass-catcher.
After evaluating the room last year, the 49ers traded for Brian Robinson Jr. late in the offseason. They could make a similar low-cost move or sign a veteran player for that fourth running back spot alongside James and Black to get more competition in the room.
