Following a 12-win season and a Wild Card round victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves in an arms race with the Los Angeles Rams and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Seattle may lose a piece or two, but it has shown how quickly it can retool in the draft, and the Rams have a shot as long as Matthew Stafford keeps playing at a high level. The 49ers will return Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, but the team has a few positions of need to keep up with their division
rivals.
Which is the biggest positional need?
EDGE/Defensive Line
The 49ers ranked at the bottom of the NFL in sack production. Losing Bosa and Mykel Williams didn’t help, but there is an argument that even with both of their services, the 49ers would have struggled to generate consistent pressure. As a result, Bryce Huff was forced into an every-down role as opposed to a situational pass rusher and was overused and lost effectiveness.
Alfred Collins and C.J. West are part of the future for the defensive line, but the 49ers will certainly have to address the defensive line with several picks. Keion White is under team control, as is Huff, but adding an immediate impact pass rusher would work wonders for the defense in 2026.
Wide Receiver
Jauan Jennings is likely on the move. The same goes for Brandon Aiyuk. Ricky Pearsall hasn’t been able to complete a full season. Jordan Watkins got very little run in 2025, and Jacob Cowing is a complete unknown. The wide receiver issue reared its head in the divisional round, facing Seattle’s fast secondary.
Of the eight picks in the draft, one will have to be a receiver, but the 49ers would be wise to add a free-agent receiver to rely on. The receiver room will look completely different next season.
Offensive Line
Trent Williams is back. Colton McKivitz is the other bookend. Dominick Puni is part of the future. Left guard is a question mark, and will the 49ers stick with Jake Brendel at center? The offensive line got beat up in Seattle and will struggle against defenses that can get home with a four-man rush and speed up front. Will the 49ers look for Williams’ replacement in the draft?
Tyler Linderbaum is an option at center, but he will have a significant market. The 49ers have to look to upgrade the line for today and plan for the future in the draft and free agency.
Which position is the biggest need this offseason for the 49ers? Let us know in the comments!
