49ers picks Steelers DPOY as free agent to fix each of 49ers offensive issues
The San Francisco 49ers have some work to do to get their offense back on track after a rough 2024 season.
While getting healthy should help, there are some clear weaknesses with their roster on that side of the ball that have to be addressed in the offseason. The NFL draft will give them opportunities to restock a cupboard that has gotten increasingly bare, but they’ll need to do some work in the free agent market as well.
They can’t solve all of their problems with free-agent additions. There are opportunities to address at least some of them in that phase of the offseason, though. We sifted through the available free agents and came up with some intriguing options to fill some of the 49ers’ biggest offensive weaknesses entering 2025:
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 03: Teven Jenkins #76 of the Chicago Bears lines up against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Bears 29-9. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Fix: Starting left guard
The 49ers have a hole at left guard with Aaron Banks set to hit unrestricted free agency. There are some cheaper internal free agents who could come back and compete for that starting spot. If the 49ers want to spend to shore up their offensive front, Jenkins is perhaps the best available option who would provide an immediate upgrade alongside left tackle Trent Williams.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 06: Ryan Kelly #78 of the Indianapolis Colts prepares to snap the ball during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Fix: Starting center
If the 49ers don’t spend at left guard, they’ll likely do so at center where finding an upgrade over Jake Brendel is up near the top of their offseason priority list. Atlanta Falcons C Drew Dalman is one option, though he could get big money the 49ers don’t have to spend. Kelly would be a lower-cost veteran choice who has excelled as a pass blocker the last two years. In 2023 and 2024 with the Colts he allowed only two sacks and 18 total pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Morgan Moses (right) blocks San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (left) during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Fix: Starting right tackle
It’s tough to imagine the 49ers would go spend big at right tackle instead of trying to find an upgrade over Colton McKivitz in the draft. McKivitz acquitted himself well last year in his second full season as a starter which diminishes the urgency some to find an upgrade over him. Moses has been a quality starting right tackle for the last decade and just had a really nice year with the Jets. He’s a possible upgrade who wouldn’t necessarily break the bank.
Jan 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) runs the ball against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Fix: Backup TE
Finding a backup for George Kittle has been a bit of a chore for the 49ers. They’ve had some quality blocking options behind him on the depth chart, but they’ve lacked the offensive dynamism that comes with having multiple receiving threats at TE. Gesicki isn’t a great blocker which may limit some of what he can do in San Francisco’s offense, but he’s a bona fide pass-catching threat that opposing teams would have to account for when he’s lined up either in line or in the slot. In 115 career games he’s averaging 10.8 yards per reception on 325 catches. He also has 22 career touchdowns.
Dec 29, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) celebrates after scoring a touchdown reception during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Fix: WR depth
A fully-healthy version of the 49ers roster doesn’t really need another receiving threat. San Francisco’s depth chart at WR is full of question marks going into the offseason though. Deebo Samuel is coming off the least productive year of his career. Brandon Aiyuk is working his way back from a major knee injury. Ricky Pearsall had a nice, albeit tumultuous, first year, but he’s still a question mark heading into Year 2. His fellow 2024 draft pick Jacob Cowing is an even bigger question mark. Adding a proven veteran like Slayton who has managed 3,897 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns on 259 catches while spending his six NFL seasons with the New York Giants gives the 49ers some high-quality receiving depth they don’t appear to have going into the year.
Jan 4, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) catches a kick over his shoulder against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Fix: RB depth
The RB room is a lot like the receiving corps in that a fully healthy version of it isn’t in need of help. However, Christian McCaffrey’s injury woes this year don’t inspire a ton of confidence that the team can rely on him for 17 games annually moving forward. Jordan Mason is a restricted free agent who may not be back in San Francisco. Isaac Guerendo was productive, but he had a handful of injury problems in training camp and the regular season. Plus, veteran Elijah Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent after missing all of last year with a hamstring injury. Going through the draft for RB help is the likelier move, but a player like Warren allows the 49ers some flexibility with Mason’s restricted free agency, and limits the immediate workload for Guerendo. Warren is also a dynamic runner and pass catcher who can do some of the things McCaffrey does, opening the door for the 49ers offense to not be completely derailed by one injury a top the RB depth chart.