Feb. 24, 2026, 8:30 p.m. PT

The San Francisco 49ers have a spate of pending free agents on the defensive side going into 2026.

While the 49ers’ defense put together enough stops to reach the divisional playoffs, it’s clear that group needs some significant upgrades this offseason. The good news for San Francisco is there aren’t any major pieces due to hit the free agent market.

Here’s how they should prioritize each of their own defensive free agents:

DE Robert Beal Jr.

Priority: None

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Beal has been largely disappointing since the 49ers selected him in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. That he couldn’t carve out regular playing time this season is a bad sign for his future in the NFL.

DE Tarron Jackson

Priority: None

Jackson went down for the season with a neck injury in training camp. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that the 49ers bring him back, but it won’t be a priority for them as they overhaul their defensive front.

S Jason Pinnock

Priority: None

Robert Saleh’s exit likely spells the end for Pinnock who played 494 defensive snaps in the secondary for San Francisco this season. His role as a “big nickel” could probably be filled with higher-quality player better suited for the position. He may return on a short, inexpensive deal, but it’s hard to imagine he’ll have any kind of significant role with the 49ers.

DL Yetur Gross-Matos

Priority: Low

If Gross-Matos was more reliable the 49ers may be more eager to bring him back. A chronic knee issue plagued his entire two-year tenure in San Francisco, and a hamstring issue cost him games in 2025. Perhaps San Francisco wants a versatile veteran familiar with their system, but he won’t be a priority for them.

LB Curtis Robinson

Priority: Something north of low

San Francisco’s culture matters and it’s notable that Robinson has been the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee the last two seasons. He’s been a willing special teams player, practice squad member, and a defensive fill-in when injuries stacked up at LB. The 49ers may want him back. He’s far enough down the depth chart that they won’t need to hustle to re-sign him.

LB Garret Wallow

Priority: How much does one playoff game matter?

Wallow was excellent in the 49ers’ postseason bout vs. the Philadelphia Eagles. However much stock they put in that performance will determine how badly they want to get him back. Either way it would be on a cheap deal that won’t guarantee the 27-year-old a roster spot.

DE Clelin Ferrell

Priority: Lowish

It isn’t nothing that Ferrell tied for the team lead in sacks despite only playing in eight games. On the other hand, that speaks to how bad the 49ers’ pass rush was this season. They may target Ferrell as a veteran depth piece, but they have plenty of work to do on the defensive line before that though.

DL Kevin Givens

Priority: Ideally low

This has been a nice story. Givens carved out a role in San Francisco after being an undrafted free agent signee in 2019. He was pushed out of the rotation in 2025 which indicated the team is ready to move on from a player who has largely been an okay rotational piece. The 49ers would probably like to be in a place where they don’t need to rely on him anymore.

CB Chase Lucas (RFA)

Priority: Not high enough to tender

The 49ers may want Lucas back. They shouldn’t tender him, though. He would make sense as a special teams contributor and reserve nickel corner. It shouldn’t be among their first moves in the secondary.

LB Luke Gifford

Priority: Ask Brant Boyer

San Francisco would probably take or leave Gifford as a linebacker. If Boyer requires Gifford on special teams, then the 49ers can make him something of a priority. As a defensive contributor he was subpar and shouldn’t be a major factor on that side.

DE Sam Okuayinonu

Priority: Probably higher than it should be

It speaks volumes about where the 49ers pass rush is that Okuayinonu seems like a player who should probably be retained because he was effective at times last season. The 49ers would love to outgrow Okuayinonu this offseason. There’s a strong chance they don’t get there, in which case a player who knows the system and may be a rotational piece could be someone they want to sign sooner than they would in a more ideal situation.

LB Eric Kendricks

Priority: Low feels disrespectful, but medium feels too high

Kendricks was a nice addition late in the season. It’s clear his best football is behind him. It’s also clear he may be the best Sam LB option they’re going to find this offseason. If that’s the case, they may try to round out their starting LB corps with the former All-Pro. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if they go younger and let him walk.

DL Jordan Elliott

Priority: Medium

The 49ers need defensive line help. They’d like to be in a place where Elliott doesn’t have to start, but they could do much worse in the rotational defensive tackle department. San Francisco shouldn’t break the bank for Elliott. They should probably put him above a bunch of their own defensive free agents, though.

DL Kalia Davis

Priority: Medium, but more medium than Elliott

Davis is in a similar boat to Elliott. He’s a little younger, but less experienced. Davis is also coming off the best year of his career. San Francisco will probably aim to bring Davis back as a rotational piece in a rebuilt defensive line.

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