What Are The 49ers Top Needs In The Draft After 1st Wave Of Free Agency?

The San Francisco 49ers have been active thus far in free agency, looking to shore up some of their needs. So far, they’ve made additions at wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive line, linebacker, cornerback, and punter, adding potential starters at most positions.

At wide receiver, the 49ers brought in Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, who immediately project as starters alongside Ricky Pearsall, with Jacob Cowing, Demarcus Robinson, and Jordan Watkins as the team’s depth.

San Francisco also added offensive tackle Vederian Lowe on a two-year deal worth $9.25 million, adding some insurance for Trent Williams as a swing tackle. On the other side, a trade for Osa Odighizuwa got the 49ers a starter at defensive tackle alongside Alfred Collins, adding much needed depth at the position.

At linebacker, the 49ers brought back Dre Greenlaw on a one-year deal, while also re-signing Luke Gifford and Garrett Wallow, completing a room that includes Fred Warner, Dee Winters, and Tatum Bethune.

At cornerback, San Francisco made a smaller move, adding Nate Hobbs on a one-year deal worth four million, which provides both depth and a veteran to push Renardo Green.

So, the 49ers have identified and filled a number of holes early in free agency, putting them in a good position for the rest of the offseason. But where do they still need to address in the draft?

Future left tackle

The 49ers did add Vederian Lowe on a two-year deal with nearly $6 million guaranteed, but they still don’t have that tackle of the future to eventually replace Trent Williams. With the 49ers star nearing retirement and demanding a new contract, San Francisco would be smart to start prioritizing the position in the draft and get a younger cost-controlled option for the future.

There will be options available, but the 49ers have not prioritized drafting offensive linemen late in the first round under the Kyle Shanahan regime, and I don’t know how much that changes with this pick.

Defensive end

With Bryce Huff’s retirement, defensive end becomes even more of a need, with Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams returning from torn ACLs. The 49ers need some key depth here, especially from a pass-rushing perspective, as they were last in the NFL in sacks in 2025.

While a veteran could be the move after drafting Williams No. 11 overall, there should be ample opportunities to select a contributor near the end of the first round.

Defensive back

The 49ers need an upgrade in the secondary, be it competition at cornerback or an improvement at safety where they had inconsistent play last year.

Much has been said about Renardo Green this offseason, while there isn’t a surefire starter in the safety room. With the clock continuing to reset, getting a valuable cornerback on a rookie contract would be a big boost for the future, while an early addition at safety could foster competition in the room and get a much more stable starter there for the 49ers.