It’s no secret that the 49ers need to bolster their pass rush after struggling to pressure the quarterback without Nick Bosa for most of the 2025 season, and they are expected to make a pair of big moves in free agency to get their former Defensive Player of the Year some more help.
After finishing last in sacks in a season in which Bosa suffered a torn ACL, it would be malpractice on the 49ers’ part not to commit significant resources to a defensive line that has gone from being a strength to being one of
the biggest issues on the roster.
There are a lot of compelling prospects at edge rusher and on the interior of the defensive line in this year’s draft but, after selecting Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins and CJ West last year, the 49ers may be more inclined to look to proven commodities in free agency.
And ESPN’s Ben Solak listed two names who he believes the 49ers will likely pursue as part of a defensive line overhaul.
Writing as part of ESPN’s offseason preview, Solak said: “The 49ers will go for a defensive overhaul. Expect the 49ers to pursue John Franklin-Myers, an old pal of Saleh from his Jets days, and Trey Hendrickson, who makes sense on a one-year deal. They could swing for a big trade, too. Kayvon Thibodeaux, anyone?”
It’s difficult to envision the 49ers using premium draft capital on Thibodeaux with the needs they have elsewhere on the roster and the options that are available in free agency and via the draft.
But there’s reason to believe the Niners could well be in the mix for both Hendrickson and Franklin-Myers.
There were reports of the 49ers being interested in Hendrickson at the trade deadline, and it makes sense that they would still be keen on him as somebody who can be a true three-down player across from Bosa. His arrival would take a huge amount of pressure off Bryce Huff and Mykel Williams, who would surely benefit from Hendrickson’s experience and the increased opportunities to rush from the inside.
While Franklin-Myers is a favorite of the now-former defensive coordinator Saleh, he figures to have significant value to the 49ers given his ability to operate inside and out.
In 2025 for the Denver Broncos, Frankin-Myers played 180 snaps as a defensive tackle and 388 off the edge. He brings versatility and consistent production, having followed up a seven-sack season in 2024 with 7.5 this campaign. He has racked up 33 QB hits in his time in Denver.
Adding Hendrickson and Franklin-Myers, who at 29 is facing what will likely be his last opportunity to cash in on the open market, may be ambitious for the 49ers.
But, with their need for impact players up front and the possible free agent departure of a versatile talent who can thrive inside and out in Yetur Gross-Matos, pursuing Hendrickson and Franklin-Myers would be a sound approach by the 49ers that would put the defense in a much better position to succeed in Raheem Morris’ first year as the coordinator.
