San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan
Getty
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan
The San Francisco 49ers nearly won the NFC West and clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC all without a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver.
With former All-Pro wideout Brandon Aiyuk missing the entire season after recovering from ACL and MCL injuries, the team relied on a patchwork wide receiver group consisting of Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, Skyy Moore, and Marques Valdes-Scantling.
The passing game was highly dependent on running back Christian McCaffrey, who led the team with 102 catches, 924 yards, and 7 touchdowns. And with the team likely parting ways with Aiyuk, the 49ers are in the market for a new top target.
49ers Could Break the Bank for WR Alec Pierce
Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce
GettyIndianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce
Few would argue wide receiver is arguably the 49ers’ biggest area of need.
And fortunately for them, there are plenty of strong options for the team to pursue including Mike Evans, Alec Pierce, Romeo Doubs, Wan’Dale Robinson, Deebo Samuel, Stefon Diggs, and Rashid Shaheed.
According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, San Francisco is interested in one of those top wideouts, and its willing to pay a hefty price to land him.
“NEW: Alec Pierce’s 1000+y certainly made a mark this past season for the #Colts, & league sources bring up Pierce’s 20+ypc average the past two seasons when discussing his market,” Anderson wrote on X.
“But it sounds like his potential $30M+/apy on the free agent market may be too much for the #Patriots, as things currently* stand in their big picture. That big picture is fluid though. Meanwhile, one league source expressed this evening they think the #49ers might pay it, among other forecasted suitors.”
The 25-year-old Pierce is coming off a career year.
He totaled 47 catches, 1,003 yards, and 6 touchdowns last season. Pierce has established himself as one of the top deep threats in the NFL, averaging 21.8 yards per reception over that span.
Pierce could be the perfect complement to the 49ers’ passing attack opposite Pearsall.
49ers Have 20 Pending Free Agents
Nine of San Francisco’s 20 free agents are on the offensive side of the ball, two of which are starters (Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne).
The team will have plenty of turnover on defense with 9 members of the front seven on expiring contracts. Below are all of the 49ers’ pending free agents.
Brian Robinson, running back
Patrick Taylor, running back
Trent Taylor, wide receiver
Skyy Moore, wide receiver
Kendrick Bourne, wide receiver
Jauan Jennings, wide receiver
Ben Bartch, offensive guard
Spencer Burford, offensive tackle
Matt Hennessy, center
Kalia Davis, defensive lineman
Jordan Elliott, defensive lineman
Kevin Givens, defensive lineman
Clelin Ferrell, defensive end
Yetur Gross-Matos, defensive end
Eric Kendricks, linebacker
Garrett Wallow, linebacker
Curtis Robinson, linebacker
Luke Gifford, linebacker
Jason Pinnock, cornerback
Thomas Morestead, punter