49ers' 2026 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss

The San Francisco 49ers' 2025 season was remarkable, not simply because of their 12-5 record, but also because of what the 49ers had to overcome to reach the postseason.

Injuries derailed San Francisco's 2024 campaign, and they threatened to do it again in 2025. Quarterback Brock Purdy missed eight starts with a toe injury, while the defense lost standout leaders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Other injuries, including several at the receiver position, impacted San Francisco throughout the season.

Yet, the 49ers continually overcame and forged ahead. Head coach Kyle Shanahan found ways to keep the offense rolling, while defensive coordinator Robert Saleh fused together a young, seemingly patchwork defense.

It was all enough to give San Francisco a shot at the NFC's No. 1 seed in the final week of the season, though the 49ers fell short against the rival Seattle Seahawks.

Now that San Francisco's playoffs have also reached their end, it's time to look at what's ahead for Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.

Free agency is slated to officially open on March 11, and the 2026 draft will follow with its April 23 opening. The 49ers have a few contract situations to address before then, too.

Free Agents

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

49ers WR Jauan Jennings

Unrestricted Free Agents

G Ben Bartch

WR Kendrick Bourne

OT Spencer Burford

DT Kalia Davis

DL Jordan Elliott

DL Kevin Givens

LB Luke Gifford

Edge Yetur Gross-Matos

C Matt Hennessy

LB Tarron Jackson

WR Jauan Jennings

WR Skyy Moore

P Thomas Morstead

CB Jason Pinnock

K Eddy Pineiro

RB Brian Robinson Jr.

WR Trent Taylor

LS Jon Weeks

Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents

CB Chase Lucas

DE Sam Okuayinonu

OT Austen Pleasants

TE Jake Tonges

One of the first situations the 49ers are likely to address this offseason is that of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. While the 2020 first-round pick is under contract through 2028, San Francisco may part with him.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini and Michael Silver reported back in November that the 49ers planned to void AIyuk's 2026 guarantees after the receiver failed to attend meetings and participate with the team. That would, presumably, clear the way for a split.

Aiyuk has spent the last year recovering from a season-ending ACL tear.

San Francisco will then have to make the call on key contributors like wide receiver Jauan Jennings, wideout Kendrick Bourne, guard Spencer Burford, defensive lineman Jordan Elliott, punter Thomas Morstead, and kicker Eddy Pineiro.

Jennings could become a top priority if the 49ers are indeed done with Aiyuk. He's been San Francisco's top wideout over the past two years.

The good news is that Lynch and the 49ers made a concerted effort to improve their cap situation last offseason, parting with several veterans in the process. San Francisco is projected to have $43.4 million in cap space, which should allow Lynch to bring back top players and make some moves on the free-agent and trade markets.

Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

WR Alec Pierce

The 49ers actively looked to move off of older and pricier veterans last offseason while clearing room to lock up quarterback Brock Purdy. They're probably not interested in creating another tricky cap situation by dealing for an expensive veteran like Maxx Crosby or wide receiver D.J. Moore, should such a player even become available.

However, Lynch may look to add a cheaper veteran on an expiring deal or rookie contract—as he did when he acquired Keion White at the 2025 trade deadline.

Players like receiver Josh Downs, guard Tyler Steen, and cornerback Daxton Hill are more realistic trade targets for the 49ers.

In free agency, though, Lynch may be willing to spend if it means getting a young potential building block for the franchise. A player like Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum or Indianapolis Colts receiver Alec Pierce could quickly become a top target for San Francisco this March.

The 49ers probably won't be afraid to consider some older vets like cornerback Jamel Dean or pass-rusher Khalil Mack, either. San Francisco has a solid young core but could use a little more playmaking ability in key spots, like the secondary and on the edge across from Bosa.

Expect Lynch to take a measured approach in the spring while looking to address key needs in April's draft.

Draft Targets

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Clemson edge prospect T.J. Parker

The 49ers head into the offseason with seven draft picks, one each in the first three rounds, three fourth-rounders, and a fifth-round pick. Lynch may well use some of the latter selections to move around the board early on draft weekend.

San Francisco has a couple of critical needs it should look to address early in the draft. Ideally, the 49ers would land a starting-caliber guard and an edge-rusher to complement Bosa within the first few selections.

The Bleacher Report Scouting Department paired San Francisco with Clemson edge-defender T.J. Parker in its post-regular season mock draft:

"Parker is another Clemson defender who didn't live up to previous preseason buzz," Matt Holder of the B/R Scouting Department said. "But his size (6'3", 260 lbs) and strength should immediately make him a good edge-setter against the run in the NFL. It's just a matter of whether he can grow as a pass-rusher, but the traits are present to do so."

A trio of Bosa, Parker, and 2024 first-round pick Mykel Williams would be promising.

Prospects like Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad, and Penn State lineman Olaivavega Ioane would also make sense in the first round.

San Francisco's list of Day 2 targets should include the likes of Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun, Oregon lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald, Louisville receiver Chris Bell, Clemson wideout Antonio Williams, and Illinois edge Gabe Jacas.

Don't be shocked if the 49ers also consider a tackle prospect like Utah's Caleb Lomu, as they prepare for a future that might not include Trent Williams.

*Cap, contract and free-agent status information via Spotrac. Draft information via Tankathon