The San Francisco 49ers roster is looking set after an eventful 2026 NFL Draft, where they made several trades and had one of the more polarizing draft classes in the NFL.
That came after a quality free agency, where San Francisco addressed depth at wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback, and offensive line, rounding out their roster after relying more on younger players in 2025.
Still, there are players expected to step up into bigger roles for the 49ers, as San Francisco looks to push back into contender
status this season.
Who are some of the breakout candidates for the 49ers this upcoming season?
WR Ricky Pearsall
We said it last season, and Ricky Pearsall is back on the list in 2026 after another injury-riddled campaign in 2025.
Through two years, Pearsall has played in only 20 games, while failing to eclipse 600 yards in a single season yet. But, when he’s been healthy and on the field, Pearsall has shown the potential of being a quality No. 2 receiver for the 49ers, which is what they drafted him to be.
With Mike Evans on the field for the 49ers, Pearsall should have a huge window for growth in 2026, assuming he stays healthy. He’s a quality route-runner who can win 1-on-1 battles, both with his release and at the top of stems, and the 49ers need much more from him this season.
The wide receiver play in 2025 was subpar. The 49ers didn’t get enough separation or consistency from their wideouts, and it clearly hampered the passing game. They have a big upgrade with Mike Evans this year, but Pearsall is the other piece to the puzzle, and he’s going to have to take a big step in Year 3.
Alfred Collins
The 49ers had a rotation at defensive tackle last year with injuries and a lack of overall experience at the position. That led to mixed results from the group, especially from a pass-rushing perspective, but I thought there was considerable growth from rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins.
Collins, who was taken in the second round last year, was brought in to improve San Francisco’s run defense with a bigger body up front. And, after the 49ers traded for a quality pass-rushing defensive tackle in Osa Odighizuwa this offseason, I think Collins has the opportunity to take another big step in 2026.
Collins’s offseason was stunted last offseason due to a variety of injuries. His getting a fully healthy offseason could be the catalyst, but he’ll also get to improve more as a pass rusher with more 1-on-1 opportunities.
The 49ers will rely on both Collins and fellow second-year defensive tackle C.J. West in the rotation this season. And they’ve got the opportunity to grow in Year 2.
Mykel Williams
Similar to Collins, I thought Mykel Williams was another player who showed good growth throughout his rookie season. Williams was drafted as one of the higher-ceiling prospects in the 2025 class, as he had shown a ton of promise at Georgia and was one of the youngest prospects in his draft.
The pass rush was going to take some time, but Williams was built well and seemed like a good fit with his inside-outside versatility on the defensive line. A torn ACL took away half of his rookie year, but Williams will be positioned well working alongside Odighizuwa and fellow defensive end Nick Bosa this year.
He’s got a ton of room for growth, and the 49ers will be counting on him in a big way this year.
Renardo Green
Renardo Green is an interesting case. He seemed like a solid pick for the 49ers’ defense as a second-rounder in 2024 and had some promising moments as a rookie, but declined as a second-year pro while being the full-time starter opposite Deommodore Lenoir.
There was a ton of speculation on whether Green would reprise his starting role in 2026, but the 49ers didn’t do much at the position outside of adding veteran Nate Hobbs on a one-year deal.
Green has the length and the traits to be a good cornerback, but he needs much more consistency after a down year in 2025. He’s on track to get the opportunity to bounce back in 2026, and with a better pass rush in front of him, he has the chance to be the breakout in the secondary this year.
