WR, DE additions? 49ers have questions that need answers at NFL combine

In retrospect, it’s almost inexplicable what the 49ers did last year while dealing with injuries that would have ravaged a team with a lesser foundation and culture.

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.

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. But what they did in the regular season can only be described as miraculous.

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.

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, where they not only will get an up-close look at the draft’s top prospects but also begin laying the groundwork for any free agency or trade discussions.

Here are some areas of focus for the 49ers when they land in Indianapolis:

Wide receiver

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.

Samuel is long gone. Aiyuk will soon follow him out the door after a massive fallout with the 49ers. As for Jennings, he’s a pending free agent coming off a good-but-not-great season.

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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.

It’s 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).

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’s Denzel Boston, USC’s Makai Lemon and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson.

Louisville’s Chris Bell, Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II and Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt are options on Day 2.

Defensive end

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.

With Bosa back on the field, he’s capable of nearly doubling that by himself, although more realistically by pushing that total into the 30s. That will clearly help, but that doesn’t mean the 49ers can just ignore the pass rush. Upgrades are a must.

Specifically on the perimeter.

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’ Trey Hendrickson would be a perfect addition to create a power-packed one-two punch with Bosa.

Injuries limited Hendrickson to seven games last year, but he’s 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.

Another option could be the Eagles’ Jaelan Phillips, albeit a decided Plan B.

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’s the latter, the 49ers should get involved.

But Indianapolis will provide a great look at some intriguing prospects, with Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell and Miami’s Akheem Mesidor as Day 1 options.

Beyond the first round, the 49ers will keep an eye on Missouri’s Zion Young, Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas, Alabama’s LT Overton, Michigan’s Derrick Moore, USC’s Anthony Lucas and Central Florida’s Malachi Lawrence.

Cornerback

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.

That likely played a role in the regressed level of play from cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green.

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.

But they can’t just count on that being the case. Whether it’s 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.

The Saints’ Alontae Taylor, the Seahawks’ Tariq Woolen, the Chiefs’ Jaylen Watson, the Buccaneers’ Jamel Dean and the Rams’ Cobie Durant could all be options on the open market.

In the draft, Clemson’s Avieon Terrell and South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse are possibilities in the first round, with Texas’ Malik Muhammad, Arkansas’ Julian Neal, Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun, Arizona’s Treydan Stukes and Georgia’s Daylen Everette as options on Day 2.