2026 San Francisco 49ers in Three Players
The offseason is upon us. Let's take a look at all 32 teams.
The 28th edition of our offseason series is here!
Instead of reviewing all 32 drafts and adding casual commentary, I will be doing this instead.
We will go through every single team, in alphabetical order, and quickly discuss three players:
a favorite free agent signing
a favorite draft pick
and a player already entrenched on the roster
Not necessarily the best, or the top, or the one's who will play the biggest role, just one of choice.
Onto the San Francisco 49ers.
Free Agent Signing
WR Mike Evans
Evans is entering Year 13 in the NFL, but only played 8 games in 2024. He was a Pro Bowler the two previous seasons.
The 49ers signed Evans to a 3 year, $42.4m contract in March.
Here is a cut-up of the good from Evans' 2025 season.
I wrote about what Evans does for the 49ers back in March. So this may be a shorter section. You can also find articles about other 49ers free agent signings, such as Jack Jones, as well as Brett Toth and Robert Jones,
Evans gives the 49ers a true X receiver that they have not had in the Shanahan era. A real threat on the perimeter. Of course, health is a limiting factor here.
Evans missed 9 games in 2025, due to a broken clavicle and a hamstring issue. Evans also missed 3 games in 2024 due to a hamstring issue.
As a soon to be 33 year old receiver, this is something to note.
But Mike Evans can change what was broken with the 49ers offense in 2025.
Despite having a top shelf passing offense statistically, there was no downfield threat. Opposing defenses would rotate their second safety down to cover the top receiving threat, which was Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield. They took their chances with the likes of Demarcus Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, Jauan Jennings, and, on some weeks, Ricky Pearsall, beating them downfield. And this group would win occasionally, which is why the 49ers passing offense worked!
Evans should prevent the extra safety coming down. Even at his old age, no defensive coordinator wants to leave Mike Evans on an island with their CB. Because 50/50 balls are closer to 80/20 with Evans. It's essentially impossible to defend that combination of size, hands, and ball skills with one defender.
Evans will either be able to take advantage of those "50/50" balls, or force defenses to spread out, allowing the 49ers offense to operate in a more traditional sense. The run game should be able to breathe a bit more, and they might actually be able to establish a run game and play-action pass game.
The 49ers will massively benefit from even just the presence of Mike Evans. Let alone the redzone and perimeter production he can provide to an offense. Yes, he is old. But he possess a rare skillset that should change how defenses approach this 49ers offense.
Even if Evans is no longer playing at a Pro Bowl level, he should make good on that contract when on the field.
Draftee
EDGE Romello Height
Height was the 70th selection of this years' draft out of Texas Tech.
He played 6 seasons of college football, starting his final two seasons, at Georgia Tech and Texas Tech, where he piled up 12.5 sacks over those years.
Here is a cut-up of Height's 2025 season, courtesy of @Graham_SFN on Twitter/X.
In my "Fatal Flaws" article, I pinpointed the lack of pass rush opposite of Nick Bosa as the 49ers' flaw. Well, Romello Height appears to be the answer they need.
Well, the 25 year old pass rusher stands at just under 6'3, 240lbs at the NFL Combine, but reasonably played closer to 230lbs at Texas Tech.
A pro of having a 25 year old rookie is that they should be more NFL ready, having perfected their technique and physique. The con is that, Height is a light NFL edge rusher, and it's unlikely he can put on more weight.
Height is a true pass rusher.
He is explosive and has the strides that make it difficult on offensive tackles to contain him. His long stride allows him to close the gap on the tackle quickly, and he can get more out of his pass rush moves this way. It also helps him work down the line of scrimmage to bring down ballcarriers in the run game.
Speaking of Height's pass rush moves, he has a great spin move that consistently fooled tackles, showing off his agility in the rush.
Height has decent block shedding technique, it's just a matter of whether or not he can execute at the NFL level, in a stronger game.
He will not be able to be on the field on obvious run downs, at least as a rookie. He does not possess the size to make a positive impact, at least on the edge. Maybe in 5-man fronts, as the fifth man on the line of scrimmage, Height can make an impact in base downs.
Romello Height projects to have the "designated pass rusher" role as a rookie, so his role should be fairly simplified. The fluidity he possesses as a pass rusher, along with his spin move, should give him a floor as a rusher. If he can have a more refined pass rush approach, he could have a high level impact immediately.
But the 49ers are heavily relying on the rookie to find immediate success as a rusher, you could even say their season depends on it. Height is the best option to pressure the pocket, and he will need to contribute in 2026,
In-House Player
DT Alfred Collins
Collins was the 49ers 2nd round pick a year ago, and played 48% of defensive snaps as a rookie. The 330 pounder recorded 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 passes defensed.
Here is a cut-up of the good from Collins' rookie season.
The 49ers defense, and specifically defensive line, has been a rollercoaster the last two seasons.
In 2024, they were a bottom 10 run defense, bottom 5 by some metrics. So they went out and drafted Alfred Collins, along with CJ West in Round 4.
In 2025, they were the worst pass rush in the NFL. Which is why they drafted Romello Height, and traded for DT Osa Odighizuwa.
Beyond Collins' play as a rookie, it will be interesting to see the role he plays this upcoming season, under new DC Raheem Morris. In 2025, the 49ers ranked 24th in the NFL in 5-man front usage, at 22%. Morris' Falcons ranked 3rd, at 45%.
Now, Raheem Morris has shown his adaptability as a playcaller over the years, so I'm sure he won't strictly implement his preferred system, he'll build around what is in-house. But, with the Height selection, and Collins' size and skillset, I would bet the 49ers run a lot more 5-man front in 2026.
Alfred Collins can be the nose tackle for those fronts.
He stands at 6'5, 330lbs. When the 49ers did need a NT, it was Collins. His anchor was strong, while not A+ level, Collins did a good job controlling guys in the run game. The problem was, nobody filled the lanes he helped create. The double team would eventually climb and block the backup LB who was late.
Because of this, in order to be effective in the run game, Collins would often have to get off blocks. Naturally, this gives the ballcarrier more of a gain on the ground. So having better LBs behind Collins should make him look better in 2025.
Collins is hard to move in the run game. And he will shed all one on one blockers, he must be doubled.
Collins' size helps "command" double teams when pass rushing too. He can simply ream the guard or center, absorb them, and open up a lane where a fellow defensive lineman will have a clear path to the QB on his stunt.
You would not think a man of Collins' size, who was not a productive pass rusher as a rookie, with just 1.0 sack and a 3.7% pressure rate, would have a decent pass rush move. But Collins can break out a swim move, weaseling his way past an OG. It does not always get him past the offensive line, but it either forces the guard to hold or draws a double from the center.
If Collins wants to contribute more as a pass rusher, he needs a more consistent bull rush. I believe the inconsistency in his hand placement is a big reason it wasn't "unlocked" as a rookie. You simply can not be that big, on the field for that many pass rush reps, and not have a consistent power rush move.
Alfred Collins showed good things as a rookie, but it did not turn to production. I do believe, in a more nose tackle heavy role, with better linebackers, and playing next to a great pass rusher in Osa Odighizuwa, Collins will already look better, even if he does not improve.
Of course, the 49ers are banking on his improvement. And I think it can come. Having the great hustle and effort plays that Collins has as a 330lb man indicates a desire to improve. A great nose tackle, or a guy who can take advantage of one on one matchups on the interior, can take this 49ers defense to top 10 level.
Thanks for reading through our 28th edition of previewing all 32 teams in 3 players! We are working our way to be completed by the time the preseason begins!
Apologies for the defensive line heavy article. I typically try to spread it out, but 49ers fans know best that a dominate defensive line wins in the playoffs. Plus, I had planned to review Ricky Pearsall, but he's out for the season.
Let me know who else on the 49ers is worth monitoring this season, good or bad!
Stay tuned for more NFL and 49ers articles, news, and opinions!
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