The San Francisco 49ers need to knock this 2025 offseason out of the park in order to jump right back into championship contention.
With Charvarius Ward revealing that he doesn’t foresee himself back with the 49ers in 2025, that creates an urgency for San Francisco to address its defensive backfield.
Meanwhile, the 49ers’ offensive line has been a group that many feel the franchise needs to upgrade in a hurry so it can restore its running game and protect its signal-caller Brock Purdy.
What if San Francisco could get both of those items accomplished in just a pair of moves?
In its dream offseason scenario for every NFL team, Pro Football Focus identified the best path forward for San Francisco.
Mason Cameron writes that the 49ers should sign free agent cornerback D.J. Reed and draft LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell.
Highlighted in PFF’s NFL free agency signings we want to see, Reed and the 49ers should have a mutual interest in reaching a deal to reunite the cornerback with his former defensive play caller in New York. Robert Saleh highly values outside cornerbacks who can stand up in man coverage in his scheme, something Reed has excelled at, earning an 83.1 man coverage grade in their time together.
The 49ers and Brock Purdy are reportedly working on a massive extension, so moving to find more blocking for both him and Christian McCaffrey is a priority. With Aaron Banks’ contract expiring and Trent Williams entering his age-37 season while coming off an injury, Campbell — or another highly touted tackle prospect — would address an immediate need on the interior and provide a long-term solution at tackle. – Cameron, Pro Football Focus.
Saleh bringing in a cornerback that understands exactly what he wants to get accomplished and who began his career in the bay makes sense for all parties.
San Francisco drafted Reed in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft out of Kansas State. The former Wildcat appeared in 31 games with the 49ers during his first two NFL seasons, totaling 54 tackles, two passes defended, one sack and one forced fumble in the 2018 and 2019 campaigns.
The Seattle Seahawks claimed Reed off waivers from the 49ers just before the 2020 season after he suffered what was believed to be a season-ending pectoral injury. Reed started 22 games with the Seahawks and tallied 123 tackles, 17 passes defended and four interceptions.
Reed wound up signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the New York Jets. The 5-foot-9, 188 pound cornerback started 46 games with the Jets over the last three seasons and is regarded as arguably the top free agent corner on the market.
Then, with the No. 11 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft, the 49ers draft Campbell out of LSU to bolster their offensive line and perhaps find the long-term answer after Trent Williams hangs the cleats up.
Campbell, a 6-foot-6, 323 pound offensive tackle, started 38 games with the Tigers in the talent-rich SEC over the last three college football seasons.
According to Pro Football Focus, Campbell earned offensive grades of 75.4, 82.8 and 72.2 during his time in Baton Rouge, La. Campbell earned a pass blocking grade of 80.6 during the 2024 season.
Per PFF, Campbell surrendered just four sacks during his collegiate career.