Why the 49ers make sense for Stefon Diggs more than most realize

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) looks on before Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Stefon Diggs is now free to sign with any team. The NFL closed its personal conduct investigation on Friday without finding grounds for punishment, removing the final formal obstacle between the veteran wide receiver and his next team.

CBS Sports wasted no time identifying San Francisco as one of the places that make the most sense.

The 49ers added Mike Evans in free agency this offseason and also brought in De'Zhaun Stribling, giving Brock Purdy two new options alongside Ricky Pearsall.

The argument for going further centers on what happened to San Francisco's receiver room last season.

The 49ers had more games missed due to injury than any other playoff team in 2025. Pearsall played in just nine games. The roster currently has no margin for that kind of attrition.

"The 49ers did add Mike Evans and De'Zhaun Stribling, but they would be wise to add more depth at wideout," CBS Sports wrote. "San Francisco had the most games missed due to injury by any playoff team last year, and Ricky Pearsall was a part of that. The former first-round pick played in just nine games this past season, and there's no more Jauan Jennings to step up in his place. We also know Evans is about to turn 33-years-old and has dealt with some hamstring issues in the past. Kyle Shanahan should be open to adding another versatile veteran to help Brock Purdy's passing attack."

Why the schematic case for Diggs in San Francisco is just as strong as the depth argument

Shanahan's offense has historically leaned on receivers who can work horizontal routes and create off play-action.

Diggs built his best production in exactly that kind of system. His seven career 1,000-yard seasons came across teams that asked him to run those same concepts, and his cut-based route running rather than straight-line speed translates cleanly to what San Francisco asks of its wideouts.

Diggs delivered 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns with the Patriots in 2025 before New England released him in March to create cap space in his seventh career 1,000-yard season, posting an 83.3 percent catch rate, which was the second-highest mark by a wide receiver in the past 45 seasons, according to CBS Sports Research. Only Michael Thomas' 85 percent rate in 2018 was higher.

He is 32 years old and likely available on a one-year contract, which fits what San Francisco can structure given its cap situation.

The 49ers are also without Brandon Aiyuk in any meaningful sense. The relationship between Aiyuk and the organization has deteriorated publicly for weeks, and even if he remains on the roster technically, San Francisco cannot count on him contributing to their offensive plans for 2026.

Diggs would fill the veteran presence the 49ers currently lack behind Evans.

San Francisco has all the reasons to be among the first teams to call.

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