In retrospect, it\u2019s almost inexplicable what the 49ers did last year while dealing with injuries that would have ravaged a team with a lesser foundation and culture.<\/p>\n
They lost defensive end Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner, tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to season-ending injuries, and quarterback Brock Purdy missed six games with a turf toe issue.<\/p>\n
The 49ers still managed to win 12 games and advance to the playoffs. They ran out of gas once there, getting bounced in the first round by the Seahawks, the eventual Super Bowl champions<\/a>. But what they did in the regular season can only be described as miraculous.<\/p>\n It also provides some hope for a quick turnaround in 2026, specifically as it relates to their Super Bowl aspirations, simply by being a healthier team and getting full seasons from their star players.<\/p>\n 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy missed six games with a turf toe issue. AP<\/p>\n That said, the 49ers have some work to do above and beyond hoping for better fortune on the injury front. The process of accomplishing their offseason retooling begins in Indianapolis at the NFL scouting combine<\/a>, where they not only will get an up-close look at the draft\u2019s top prospects but also begin laying the groundwork for any free agency or trade discussions.<\/p>\n Here are some areas of focus for the 49ers when they land in Indianapolis:<\/p>\n Wide receiver<\/p>\n Life moves fast in the NFL, and the 49ers and their wide receivers are a case in point. They looked set at this position just a few years ago, with Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings all under contract.<\/p>\n Samuel is long gone. Aiyuk will soon follow him out the door after a massive fallout with the 49ers. As for Jennings, he\u2019s a pending free agent coming off a good-but-not-great season.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> Needless to say, wide receiver is a high priority, even if they bring back Jennings. Yes, Ricky Pearsall is still a coveted young player, but injuries have been an issue, and he played only nine games last year.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a deep draft group at wide receiver, but the 49ers will first look to free agency to fill the need. Given the volume of free agent conversations that will take place in Indianapolis next week, expect the 49ers to kick some tires on pending free agents including George Pickens (Cowboys), Alec Pierce (Colts), Rashid Shaheed (Seahawks) and Romeo Doubs (Packers).<\/p>\n That said, next week will be critical as they get an up-close look at an impressive draft group. That includes Day 1 projected prospects such as Washington\u2019s Denzel Boston, USC\u2019s Makai Lemon and Arizona State\u2019s Jordyn Tyson.<\/p>\n Louisville\u2019s Chris Bell, Georgia\u2019s Zachariah Branch, Tennessee\u2019s Chris Brazzell II and Indiana\u2019s Elijah Sarratt are options on Day 2.<\/p>\n Washington\u2019s Denzel Boston is projected to be a Day 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. AP<\/p>\n USC\u2019s Makai Lemon is also projected to be a Day 1 pick. AP<\/p>\n Arizona State\u2019s Jordyn Tyson is also a potential pick for the 49ers. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Defensive end<\/p>\n Bosa played just three games last year, and that needs to be taken into account when you consider the paltry 20 sacks the 49ers registered.<\/p>\n With Bosa back on the field, he\u2019s capable of nearly doubling that by himself, although more realistically by pushing that total into the 30s. That will clearly help, but that doesn\u2019t mean the 49ers can just ignore the pass rush. Upgrades are a must.<\/p>\n Specifically on the perimeter.<\/p>\n Free agency offers some intriguing options and fits for a 49ers team sitting just a step or two away from another Super Bowl run. The Bengals\u2019 Trey Hendrickson would be a perfect addition to create a power-packed one-two punch with Bosa.<\/p>\n Injuries limited Hendrickson to seven games last year, but he\u2019s one season removed from registering back-to-back seasons of 17.5 sacks. The 49ers are in a decent position to make a run with a projected $23 million in cap space.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe California Post is here. Sign up for Morning Report.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the perfect blend of news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Another option could be the Eagles\u2019 Jaelan Phillips, albeit a decided Plan B.<\/p>\n The 49ers could also make a run at Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who is expected to sit down with Raiders decision-makers to gauge their thoughts on the latest rebuild in Las Vegas. Depending on the timeline the Raiders lay out to Crosby, he could decide to stick it out or request a trade seeking a more win-now situation. If it\u2019s the latter, the 49ers should get involved.<\/p>\n But Indianapolis will provide a great look at some intriguing prospects, with Auburn\u2019s Keldric Faulk, Texas A&M\u2019s Cashius Howell and Miami\u2019s\u00a0Akheem\u00a0Mesidor as Day 1 options.<\/p>\n Beyond the first round, the 49ers will keep an eye on Missouri\u2019s Zion Young, Oklahoma\u2019s R Mason Thomas, Alabama\u2019s LT Overton, Michigan\u2019s Derrick Moore, USC\u2019s Anthony Lucas and Central Florida\u2019s Malachi Lawrence.<\/p>\n Miami defensive lineman\u00a0Akheem\u00a0Mesidor could be a Day 1 option for the 49ers. AP<\/p>\n Cornerback<\/p>\n The 20 sacks the 49ers registered in 2026 reflected an inability to create consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, allowing them to operate out of safe pockets far too many times.<\/p>\n That likely played a role in the regressed level of play from cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green.<\/p>\n The 49ers are hoping an improved pass rush creates much better versions of Lenoir and Green, while allowing Upton Stout to build off his impressive rookie season.<\/p>\n But they can\u2019t just count on that being the case. Whether it\u2019s bringing in reinforcements to push for starting jobs or to create better depth, cornerback has to be a priority in free agency and the draft.<\/p>\n The Saints\u2019 Alontae Taylor, the Seahawks\u2019 Tariq Woolen, the Chiefs\u2019 Jaylen Watson, the Buccaneers\u2019 Jamel Dean and the Rams\u2019 Cobie Durant could all be options on the open market.<\/p>\n In the draft, Clemson\u2019s Avieon Terrell and South Carolina\u2019s Brandon Cisse are possibilities in the first round, with Texas\u2019 Malik Muhammad, Arkansas\u2019 Julian Neal, Ohio State\u2019s Davison Igbinosun, Arizona\u2019s Treydan Stukes and Georgia\u2019s Daylen Everette as options on Day 2.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t
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