San Francisco could still hit the free agency market for a receiver.
The San Francisco 49ers had a different style of offseason this year, focusing on getting younger and replenishing talent through the NFL Draft.
That approach led them to trade former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round pick, moving on from their star with one year left on his contract.
Now, they head into the 2025 season with a wide receiver corps led by Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings. However, Aiyuk is still recovering from the torn ACL and MCL injuries he sustained back in October, raising questions about who will be the team’s starters.
The team did sign veteran free agent DeMarcus Robinson for depth, getting some insurance on the boundary for Aiyuk. But, he could be suspended to start the season as a result of a DUI arrest he faced last season.
Additionally, the 49ers have some questions at the position, as Pearsall is entering his first full offseason with the team, while Jennings is heading into a contract year. So, could they go out and get some depth in free agency still?
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton suggested the 49ers as a logical spot for veteran wideout Keenan Allen, who has yet to sign with a team after playing last year with the Chicago Bears.
“The San Francisco 49ers could open the season without Brandon Aiyuk, who is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL,” Moton wrote. “According to general manager John Lynch, Demarcus Robinson might be subject to a three-week suspension.
“The 49ers signed Brock Purdy to a five-year, $265 million extension. As running back Christian McCaffrey ages, San Francisco’s high-paid signal-caller must carry more of the offensive load, and to do that, he needs a full deck of pass-catchers.
“With the absence of Aiyuk and uncertainty around Robinson, Allen would be a solid fit to round out three-receiver sets alongside Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. He’s also an upgrade over Robinson and would allow the 49ers to slowly ease Aiyuk back into action.”
That’s not the only wideout that Moton suggested the 49ers target. When breaking down a move that every team should still do, the Bleacher Report writer suggested San Francisco sign Amari Cooper.
The 49ers agreed to terms on a five-year, $265 million extension with quarterback Brock Purdy. Now, they must add another proven playmaker at receiver to help support him.
“Brandon Aiyuk might miss half the 2025 campaign recovering from a torn ACL and MCL,” Moton wrote. “General manager John Lynch said (via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows) the league could suspend Demarcus Robinson for the first three games of the upcoming term because of a November DUI arrest.
“Cooper battled injuries throughout the 2024 season, which limited his production. But if he’s healthy, the 30-year-old would be a quality pickup. As Christian McCaffrey ages, Purdy must take on more of the offensive workload with his arm. So, San Francisco should load up on able-bodied and available receivers.”
San Francisco could very well target a receiver in free agency. But, Brock Purdy doesn’t believe it’s a priority necessarily, raising confidence in the team’s group of wideouts this week.
“Obviously, [we should have] Ricky Pearsall, J.J. (Jennings) as our guys, for sure, to start off the season,” Purdy said on 95.7 The Game this week. “Obviously, we’re hoping to get B.A. (Brandon Aiyuk) back as soon as possible, and then Demarcus Robinson as well.
“But those young guys, too, man, I’m really excited about. They’ve come in with the right mindset to get better, and they’re moving. We’ve got guys that can move, which is awesome to see. And [they have] good hands, they’re learning fast. And so, for me, I’m excited for when we go 11-on-11 in camp and get a feel for who’s who and what they can do.”
San Francisco did add two wide receivers during the draft, spending a fourth-rounder on Ole Miss’s Jordan Watkins and a seventh-rounder on Montana’s Junior Bergen. Both players will compete to make the roster this offseason, while also seeing special-teams reps as returners.
Still, adding a wideout doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibilities, although that may come later in the offseason after the 49ers evaluate their current group of players.