With roughly three weeks until training camp begins, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and his staff are surely still exploring cost-effective veteran additions to stabilize the depth chart on both sides of the ball.
With uncertainty surrounding the health and return of Brandon Aiyuk, there are some concerns about depth in the WRs room. Ricky Pearsall has promise entering Year 2, and Jauan Jennings had a career year in 2024, but the group could use another established vet, at least until Aiyuk is back to full strength.
The 49ers have already brought in veteran wideout Gabe Davis for a workout, which head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed.
“I think it’s how we handle every situation, we monitor everything,” Shanahan replied on June 10 when asked about the team’s interest in Davis. “So, I think Gabe’s visited a few teams. He’s a guy we’ve been a fan of in the past and he wanted to visit a few teams and talk to them about mutual interest and we had a good visit. But that’s stuff we really never stop doing.”
On the defensive side, the secondary is another area that could use more depth. With veteran cornerback Charvarius Ward no longer on the roster, the team lacks a clear lockdown option on the boundary. Young players like Tre Brown and Deommodore Lenoir have shown flashes, but are still relatively unproven. Considering the depth at WR and CB, we took look at some of the remaining free agents who could make the most sense for San Francisco.
Keenan Allen, WR
Getty| Keenan Allen is one free agent the San Francisco 49ers could still sign.
Keenan Allen, the six-time Pro Bowler, spent his 2024 season with the Chicago Bears. Allen is one of the NFL’s most reliable route runners, known for his exceptional hands and ability to convert third downs from the slot. He caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns last year, so he’s still capable of producing, especially in the red zone.
His skill set would complement Aiyuk and Pearsall perfectly, giving Brock Purdy a steady target. Allen’s familiarity with multiple offensive systems, his leadership presence and likely affordable price point this late in free agency make him a compelling option for a team needing to add experience and security at wide receiver.
Rasul Douglas, CB
Getty| Former Buffalo Bills CB Rasul Douglas is still a free agent.
Rasul Douglas could be a smart addition to the secondary for the Niners. A physical corner who thrives in zone-heavy schemes like those favored by defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Douglas is coming off a solid season with the Bills.
In 2024, he didn’t manage to snag an interception, but he finished with 58 total tackles (five for loss), a forced fumble and five pass breakups in 15 starts. At nearly 30 years old, he could provide a veteran voice in a young CBs room, making him a valuable asset both on the field and in the locker room.
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Getty| Veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore is another option for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025 free agency.
Stephon Gilmore is another veteran DB who could be an ideal stopgap at boundary corner following Ward’s exit. A former Defensive Player of the Year and five-time Pro Bowler, Gilmore has still played at a high level in recent seasons and remains one of the smartest defenders in the league.
He’s getting older, to be sure (he turns 35 in September), but he would bring a little more credibility to the secondary, and he still played relatively well with the Vikings in 2024. In 15 starts, he amassed 56 total tackles (one for loss), an INT and nine PBUs. Douglas is younger, but Gilmore still has some swagger in his game.
