San Francisco 49ers 2025 Offseason Outlook
Coming off a disappointing 6-11 season the 49ers must look to retool their roster in search of the ever elusive 6th Lombardi trophy...
While injuries clearly played a major factor in a significant 2024 backslide for the San Francisco 49ers, it became apparent over the course of the season that a roster retool was in order for the defending NFC Champs. An aging and injury prone core exposed some growing cracks in the 49ers foundation making the upcoming offseason, armed with draft picks and money, a vitally important one.
Potential Subtractions
Pending Free Agents
Unrestricted Free Agents
IDL Javon Hargrave - CB Charvarius Ward - LB Dre Greenlaw - OG Aaron Banks - S Talanoa Hufanga - OL Jaylon Moore - RB Elijah Mitchell- IOL Ben Bartch - LB De'Vondre Campbell - CB Isaac Yiadom - IOL Jon Feliciano - QB Joshua Dobbs - QB Brandon Allen - IDL Kevin Givens - LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles - IDL Khalil Davis - WR Chris Conley - TE Eric Saubert - P Pat O'Donnell - S Tashaun Gipson - CB Rock Ya-Sin - OT Charlie Heck - CB Nick McCloud - RB Patrick Taylor - OL Matt Hennessy
Restricted Free Agents
RB Jordan Mason - LB Curtis Robinson
Cut/Trade Candidates
IDL Javon Hargrave - 2025 UFA*
WR Deebo Samuel 2026 UFA** (Pre June 1: -$15.7M Cap Savings / Post June 1: $5.1M Cap Savings)
FB Kyle Juszcyk - 2026 UFA (Pre June 1: $2.9M Cap Savings / Post June 1: $4.6M Cap Savings)
OC Jake Brendel - 2027 UFA (Pre June 1: -$1.6M Cap Savings/ Post June 1: $2.4M Cap Savings)
* - GM John Lynch confirmed in his end of season press conference that Hargrave’s midseason restructure allowed them to designate him as a Post June-1 release and make him a 2025 UFA.
* * - It has been reported the 49ers are exploring trade options for Samuel and will let him and his camp find a new landing spot.
Potential Additions
Team Needs
Tier 1 - IOL, IDL, CB
Tier 2 - EDGE, OT, LB
Tier 3 - WR, SAF, TE
The 49ers big needs start at CB, LG and DT2, where departing veterans leave holes that need to be filled. They will also search for long term answers at the other DT spot as well as C, RT and EDGE opposite Nick Bosa. SAF, LB and WR all have in house options, but with those options being lower ceiling stop gaps, a potential upgrade at the right price in free agency isn’t out of the question.
Free Agency Targets
WR: Davante Adams (NYJ) - Robert Woods (HOU) - Mack Hollins (HOU)
TE: Zach Ertz (WAS) - Tyler Conklin (NJY)
OL: Josh Meyers (GB) - Drew Dalman (ATL) - Kevin Zeitler (DET)
IDL: Milton Williams (PHI) - Javon Kinlaw (NJY), Calais Campbell (MIA)
EDGE: Azeez Ojulari (NYG) - Dante Fowler Jr. (WAS) - Derek Barnett (HOU)
LB: Jamien Sherwood (NYJ) - Erik Kendrick (DAL)
CB: D.J Reed (NYJ) - Carlton Davis (DET) - Rasul Douglas (BUF)
SAF: Jevon Holland (MIA) - Justin Simmons (ATL) - Julian Blackmon (IND)
The position the 49ers are most likely to attack heavily in Free Agency is CB. With the departure of Ward, a big hole looms at outside CB and with a strong class of veterans looking for a third contract valued at over 10m AAV, there are plenty of options. Offensive and defensive line could both stand to add talent but given the depth of the upcoming draft class, unless there is a star in the 49ers eyes, signings at those spots will likely be depth/rotation options. SAF and LB are both spots that will likely need to add veteran competition to go with previous and upcoming later round draft picks, but the positional value means it is unlikely large sums of money will be allocated to them.
Draft Targets (Rounds 1-3)
WR
Round 1: Luther Burden - Missouri
Round 2: Savion Williams - TCU
Round 3: Ricky White - UNLV
If the 49ers are to invest another early pick at the receiver position it would likely be the replace Deebo Samuel. In that case, players like Burden and Williams with the athleticism and tackle breaking ability to take on his designed touches would be the ideal fits. After early round picks they will look to depth options with special teams value, like White who is fresh off a 4 punt block season in 2024.
TE
Round 1: Tyler Warren - Penn State
Round 2: Elijah Arroyo - Miami (FL)
Round 3: Gunnar Helm - Texas
One of the most underrate losses for the 49ers in 2024 was the departure of Charlie Woerner. The failure to replace TE2 in the offense hampered the run game to the point that an early investment in the position wouldn’t be surprising. In a deep class with a variety of body types the 49ers should be able to find what they are looking for, whether it’s a long term successor to Kittle or a complementary piece.
OL
Round 1: Will Campbell - LSU (OT/OG)
Round 2: Grey Zabel - NDSU (IOL)
Round 3: Jared Wilson - Georgia (OC)
The 49ers have multiple holes along the offensive line with LG wide open, and potential upgrade opportunities at C and RT. They also need to begin planning for a long term solution at LT, as the great Trent Williams will not be around forever. They will likely make multiple investments up front over the course of the offseason in a class with a lot of OT/OG versatile players.
IDL
Round 1: Walter Nolen - Ole Miss
Round 2: T.J. Sanders - South Carolina
Round 3: Aeneas Peebles - Virginia Tech
Outside of Maliek Collins the 49ers struggled to get much production up from their interior in 2024. A return to dominance up front similar to what they enjoyed during Robert Saleh’s last stint with the team, will take some premium investment. Nolen, Sanders and Peebles all fit the athletic disruptors mold San Francisco has typically targeted.
EDGE
Round 1: Shemar Stewart - Texas A&M
Round 2: Jack Sawyer - Ohio State
Round 3: Kyle Kennard - South Carolina
The 49ers have long been in search for a true running mate opposite Nick Bosa. Leonard Floyd was an admirable stop gap in 2024 but in a talented and deep EDGE class a younger solution will likely be brought in. A bigger body type on the edge to improve run defense and help push pockets opposite Bosa would be a good fit.
LB
Round 1: N/A
Round 2: Jihad Campbell - Alabama
Round 3: Carson Schwesinger - UCLA
In the event of a Dre Greenlaw free agency departure, linebacker becomes a massive need. The starting spot will likely not be filled by a rookie but even with a veteran replacement to fill in for Greenlaw the 49ers will need some younger options in the building for the long term.
CB
Round 1: Will Johnson - Michigan
Round 2: Trey Amos - Ole Miss
Round 3: Darien Porter - Iowa State
Departing free agent Charvarius Ward made it clear he will not be resigning due to personal reasons, which creates a massive hole at outside CB. Lenoir and 2023 2nd Rounder Renardo Green hold down two of the spots but another starter is needed to complete the trio.
SAF
Round 1: Malaki Starks - Georgia
Round 2: Xavier Watts - Notre Dame
Round 3: Andrew Mukuba - Texas
Rookie SAF Malik Mustapha was a standout in a rough season in 2024 but he needs a running mate. In the event that long time starter Hufanga isn’t retained, a more athletic and rangy partner to pair with Mustapah’s downhill physicality would be ideal.