49ers urged to address pass-catcher question to help Brock Purdy

The San Francisco 49ers have to compete with the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, the NFC runner-up, and the 2026 Super Bowl favorites, the Los Angeles Rams, in the NFC West.

It's a brutal division, and to compete with those top teams, the 49ers have a lot of work to do. While the defensive line could use some help, there isn't a more pressing question for the 49ers to answer than with the offense this offseason.

Specifically, as Bradley Locker of PFF.com points out, the 49ers pass-catcher question is a major one that needs resolving. Brock Purdy needs more help, and that's the biggest question the 49ers must answer this offseason.

49ers urged to resolve pass catcher question this offseason

"For as much as Kyle Shanahan relied on Christian McCaffrey as a receiver in 2025," Lcoker writes, "he'll assuredly seek new weapons for Brock Purdy in both free agency and the draft."

The 49ers cannot go through this offseason without making major moves with the team's pass catchers. There are a few returning players, but they aren't enough.

Ricky Pearsall has been dealing with injuries his entire career, and while he's a solid option, the 49ers need more help than just Pearsall in the WR room.

George Kittle is a great tight end, but he's coming off an Achilles injury and might not be ready to begin the season. Other than Kittle and Pearsall, no other noteworthy pass catcher is returning.

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Jauan Jennings is a free agent, and Brandon Aiyuk is all but off the roster at this point. The 49ers desperately need at least one new wide receiver, whether it's Jennings re-signing or a free agent.

Tight end is a bit trickier, but better depth couldn't hurt even if Kittle does return. Jake Tonges is fine, but someone like David Njoku to back up Kittle, and give Shanahan the ability to run multiple TE sets with two good options, is appealing.

While the top wide receiver, George Pickens, isn't likely to be available, the 49ers could still use an early draft pick on one, or sign a different free agent to a contract this offseason.

Regardless of how the 49ers address the pass-catching room this offseason, there is no doubt that John Lynch and the 49ers front office need to invest heavily in it this offseason.

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