The San Francisco 49ers once looked like they had their wide receiver room mapped out for the future. They used a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Ricky Pearsall, a savvy route-runner out of Florida who was expected to take on a bigger role in Year 2. The idea was that he’d eventually step into the spotlight alongside Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, especially with Deebo Samuel’s future in San Francisco already cloudy at the time.
That plan took a sharp detour.
The 49ers ultimately moved on from Samuel, trading the versatile playmaker to the Washington Commanders after multiple rounds of trade talks. That should’ve cleared the runway for a new-look trio of Aiyuk, Pearsall, and Jennings heading into 2025. But then came the injury bug-and some deeper organizational friction.
Aiyuk never made it back from a torn ACL and MCL suffered during the 2024 season. And it’s looking more and more like he’s played his last snap in a 49ers uniform. His guarantees were voided last offseason, and his relationship with the team has reportedly deteriorated beyond repair.
That leaves Kyle Shanahan and the front office with more questions than answers at wide receiver as they enter the 2026 offseason. Jennings is set to hit free agency and could cash in after carving out a reliable role.
Pearsall, meanwhile, has struggled to stay on the field, logging just 20 games over his first two seasons due to injuries. And throughout the 2025 campaign, the Niners leaned on a rotating cast that included Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson-solid veterans, but not long-term solutions.
The good news? San Francisco is expected to have some financial flexibility in free agency.
And if there's one thing the offense sorely lacked last season, it was speed. A vertical threat who can stretch the field and keep defenses honest could be near the top of their shopping list.
Pending free agents like Alec Pierce and Rashid Shaheed could fit that mold-assuming they hit the market and don’t re-sign with their current teams.
But don’t sleep on the draft as a potential source of help-especially with the 49ers holding the 27th overall pick. One name already generating buzz in connection with San Francisco is Texas A&M standout KC Concepcion. NFL.com’s Cynthia Frelund recently mocked him to the Niners in the first round, highlighting his fit in Shanahan’s system thanks to his ability to create space and rack up yards after the catch.
Concepcion’s 2025 season was nothing short of electric. He hauled in 61 passes for 919 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging over 15 yards per reception and earning All-American honors along the way. He’s not just productive-he’s dynamic.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Concepcion to former Seahawks star Doug Baldwin, and the parallels are easy to see. “Concepcion offers immediate burst and separation into space,” Zierlein wrote.
“He’s elusive in beating press and getting into breaks with minimum damage from handsy coverage… He’s instinctive against zone. He’s also a nightmare for man coverage on choice routes and near the goal line.”
At 5'11", 190 pounds, Concepcion has the versatility to line up both in the slot and outside. What makes him particularly intriguing for the 49ers is his ability to uncover quickly-something this offense sorely missed in 2025. The lack of true separators became glaringly obvious, especially during key losses late in the season when the passing game stalled.
With multiple positions to address this offseason, wide receiver might not be the flashiest need-but it could be one of the most important. Whether the 49ers look to free agency or the draft, don’t be surprised if they prioritize adding a playmaker who can change the geometry of the field and give their next quarterback a reliable target.
And if they stay at No. 27, KC Concepcion might just be the kind of player who checks every box.