49ers Need To Focus On One Hole After Busy Start To Free Agency

The San Francisco 49ers made one of the early splashes in free agency, signing Mike Evans to a cleverly-structured three-year deal to make him the team’s No. 1 wide receiver in 2026. With the move, the 49ers addressed one of their biggest holes, adding a proven veteran at the position at a very reasonable price.

That wasn’t the only move that the 49ers made. The team also has added linebacker Dre Greenlaw, swing tackle Vederian Lowe, wide receiver Christian Kirk, cornerback Nate Hobbs, and punter Corliss Waitman, while bringing back special teams ace Luke Gifford and trading for Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.

All of those players, apart from Lowe and Gifford, could project as starters to start the 2026 season.

But, even with all the moves, the 49ers do have one hole they needed to address: defensive end. That hole has become even bigger with the loss of defensive end Bryce Huff, who announced his retirement earlier this offseason.

San Francisco does have Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams coming back from ACL tears, and there isn’t much depth behind them. There are quite a few defensive ends available in free agency, so the 49ers could wait the market out for a good deal.

That’s easily the team’s top need heading into the second wave of free agency. Currently, the top free agents available are Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, Cameron Jordan, and others, so a one-year deal might make the most sense.

The 49ers also have a majority of their draft picks, including the No. 27 overall pick, at their disposal. It might make sense to add a more experienced player after drafting Williams in the first round last year, but there are a number of quality options that should be available late in the first round.

Elsewhere, the 49ers are pretty set with their roster. Looking down the roster, they may need depth at certain positions. For example, San Francisco could look for a low-cost running back with Brian Robinson Jr. in free agency (perhaps him coming back). They also could need a left guard, but the franchise may go the cheaper option again after signing Brett Toth to a one-year deal.

Other that than, though, they seem pretty set on offense. They still have Brock Purdy and Mac Jones at quarterback. They signed Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency to join Ricky Pearsall as the leaders in the room. They re-signed Jake Tonges, so they’ll have him, George Kittle, and Luke Farrell back in 2026. And, on the offensive line, Trent Williams is expected back, while Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, and Colton McKivitz are all back.

On the defensive side, the defensive line, cornerback, and linebacker rooms have all seen signings so far. Perhaps they make a move for a safety, but Ji’Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, and Marques Sigle remain on the roster and are in line to be the top players at the position currently.

San Francisco still has cap space and could make some moves, but they’re looking better after the first wave of free agency, with only a few holes to fill.