Breakout star tops short list of 49ers key free agents in 2026
As of early July it's impossible to know exactly what the 49ers' 53-man roster will look like. We're making a handful of assumptions with their complete list of soon-to-be free agents from Over the Cap and picking out four key players San Francisco may have a tough decision on.
WR Jauan Jennings
It isn't really a tough decision. The 49ers should keep Jennings. However, his near 1,000-yard season in 2024 put him on the map as a viable top-two NFL wide receiver. That may inflate his market beyond what San Francisco can afford as they recalibrate their roster to open another Super Bowl window. If the team's injury issues persist in 2025 and Jennings continues to operate as one of the team's top two pass catchers, they may change their roster calculus to ensure they can add him on a long-term deal. If Jennings struggles to replicate his stellar 2024, or if he returns to his tertiary role in the 49ers' receiving corps, his market may deflate far enough to allow San Francisco to keep their 2020 seventh-round selection.
RT Colton McKivitz
We highlighted some of the potential difficulties that could come with retaining McKivitz if he continues improving after his strong 2025 performance. San Francisco may find themselves in the same place they were with Mike McGlinchey in 2023 where his market outpaced what the 49ers could or would pay their starting right tackle. The problem for the 49ers is left tackle Trent Williams could hang up his pads next year and open a gaping hole on quarterback Brock Purdy's blind side. Replacing Williams is going to require big-time assets. McKivitz's exit in free agency would also mean using significant financial figures or draft capital to replace him. Whether McKivitz returns could depend less on his performance and more on his cost.
OL Spencer Burford
This isn't a huge name, but Burford could prove to be an important piece of the 49ers' offensive line this season. He's at least in line to be their top reserve who can fill in at either guard spot or left tackle. He may also wind up winning the starting left guard job and putting himself in line for a pretty significant raise in 2026. San Francisco hasn't invested much in its offensive line depth during Kyle Shanahan's tenure as head coach. If Burford starts or plays significant snaps and performs well, he could quickly enter an area of the market the 49ers aren't willing to play in for a starting guard or reserve OL.
DL Jordan Elliott
It's easy to imagine the 49ers retaining Elliott given how their recent defensive line teardown went. They want to get younger in that group, and they don't want to have any bloated contracts. Elliott's experience could make him valuable for the young San Francisco D-line. If he starts and puts together a strong 2025 season, the 49ers may have to retain him to avoid needing to use more draft capital on the interior of the defensive line.
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