With time running out on many of 49ers’ top players, ’25 rookie class will need to step up (paywall)
“Of course, it’s nonsense to dismiss a draft class after one season. And that’s particularly true of a group in which many were thrust into significant roles due to last offseason’s roster reset and took their lumps learning on the job.
Still, the 49ers’ lack of an instant-impact rookie was one reason they were outclassed in their two meetings this month with the Seahawks, who have had two PFWA all-rookie picks — guard Grey Zabel (first round) and hybrid safety Nick Emmanwori (second) — play key roles in their journey to Super Bowl LX. Zabel helped Seattle improve from 28th to 10th in the NFL in rushing. And Emmanwori’s versatility helped the Seahawks jump from 11th to first in fewest points allowed.“
Ranking the 49ers’ 16 future contract players, starting with Sebastian Valdez (paywall)
“Forrest is interesting in that he’s been a starter, has played a lot of special teams and has a good combination of size and speed. He’s good around the line of scrimmage and finished second on the Commanders in tackles in 2022. He has just 16 missed tackles in four seasons. By comparison, Malik Mustapha had 16 in 12 games this past season.
Forrest isn’t as natural in coverage, which is perhaps why Washington didn’t retain him and why he couldn’t stick with another squad in 2025. With veteran Jason Pinnock scheduled for free agency, the 49ers have some room at safety on their offseason roster.“
Positions 49ers must improve to overtake Seahawks, Rams in NFC West next season
“The 49ers had the worst pass rush in the entire NFL. They recorded just 20 sacks on the season. If Bosa returns to full strength, he will definitely help. Other than him, the 49ers have nobody. Clelin Ferrell and Bryce Huff led the team with just four sacks apiece.
Williams should be a good player down the road, but he is not considered a sack master. In his best season at Georgia, he had five sacks.
A good pass rush will help the defense in so many ways. The 49ers’ had just six interceptions during the regular season and none in two playoff games. That’s because the 49ers were unable to make quarterbacks uncomfortable and force mistakes.“
Baldy questions whether 49ers should re-sign Jauan Jennings
“”Jauan, all he’s done is line up and play and contribute, and he’s been a big part of this offense,” Baldinger said. “But he’s not a number one. You could question if he’s a number two. And so, then you go, is he expendable because I can go find a big-bodied receiver? I can find that either in the draft or through free agency, and not have to spend that much money because this is a big business here.”
Baldinger adds that the 49ers are already paying several core players significant money, even with Purdy taking up a large chunk of the salary cap. Is it worth it to have Jennings join that group?
“Everybody likes Jauan, and how he contributes,” Baldinger added. “But it just becomes a question of finance, at this point, knowing that, because once you’ve paid Brock, other guys are going to have to go. Aaron Banks had to go. Other guys are going to have to go once you start paying the quarterback the way they paid him.”
49ers’ 2026 breakout candidate: PFF highlights rising CB Upton Stout
“”Stout, a third-round pick, quickly became the 49ers’ primary nickel cornerback and improved as the season progressed,” Wasserman wrote. “From Week 11 through the divisional round, Stout earned an 81.6 PFF overall grade, which ranked sixth among all qualified cornerbacks. That mark also ranked second behind Denver’s Ja’Quan McMillianamong primary slot cornerbacks.”
