John Lynch
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John Lynch could prioritize cornerback in the NFL Draft next year.
With the NFL Draft less than a month away, the San Francisco 49ers could be looking to add more experience to their roster via free agency. Seeing as they possess over $31 million in cap space, the Niners have plenty of money to throw at another veteran player or two before addressing other major needs in the draft.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport has an idea for who GM John Lynch and Co. could go after on the free agent market. That player is none other than five-time Pro Bowl edge-rusher Joey Bosa.
The San Francisco 49ers Need Another Productive Edge-Rusher
Joey Bosa
GettyJoey Bosa is set to enter his 11th NFL season.
Here is what Davenport had to say regarding Bosa potentially being the right fit in San Francisco:
“There isn’t a team in the league that needs a better pass rush more in 2026 than the San Francisco 49ers. Injuries to Nick Bosa and rookie Mykel Williams played a part last year, but the entire team had three fewer sacks than Myles Garrett…Joey Bosa’s last 10-sack season came in 2021, but there aren’t many five-time Pro-Bowlers available this late in free agency.”
Not only was 2021 Bosa’s last 10-sack season, but it was also his last full season. He is also set to turn 31 years of age in July. However, the former national champion’s experience should be enough to persuade Lynch to bring him to the Bay Area. After spending his first nine seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, he spent 2025 with the Buffalo Bills.
There aren’t many edge-rushers on the market who have accrued 79 career sacks, including playoffs. Furthermore, while Bosa hasn’t recorded double-digit sacks in a half-decade, he has been productive in other ways. While with Buffalo last season, he led the league in forced fumbles with five. He has also recorded 31 total quarterback hits combined, including playoffs, over the last two seasons.
The 49ers Still Have Plenty of Ammunition Ahead of the NFL Draft
John Lynch Kyle Shanahan 49ers Money tickets
GettyJohn Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are still searching for their first Super Bowl together.
Major cap space is not the only asset that the Niners have at their disposal. They are set to have six draft picks within the first four rounds of the NFL Draft. In an offseason after yet another 12-win season and playoff appearance, San Francisco appears to be primed for a Super Bowl-contending season in 2026.
After signing future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal this offseason, along with former 1,000-yard wide receiver Christian Kirk, veteran 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will have some new and talented pass-catchers to work with on offense.
Defensively, after the re-signing of veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw, perhaps the team’s only need that could be addressed is at edge-rusher opposite of Nick Bosa. This is where his older brother could come in and provide stability. Together, if healthy, the Bosas could form one of the league’s better edge-rush duos. Time will tell whether or not Lynch would like to hand out money to an aging player who may or may not be past his prime.