The San Francisco 49ers may look close to finished on paper, but there’s still room for John Lynch and company to make a late move or two before training camp and the preseason get rolling.
A few spots still stand out as areas where help would make sense, and the free-agent market still has some veterans who could step in and raise the floor right away. Here are five names that fit that bill.
Jadeveon Clowney remains a logical swing for a team that can never seem to have enough edge rushers. With the Joey Bosa idea looking unlikely, Clowney stands out as a workable fallback.
The 33-year-old put up 8.5 sacks for the Dallas Cowboys last season, and that defense was coordinated by Matt Eberflus, who is now an assistant with San Francisco. Even with the injury concerns that usually follow him around, Clowney still brings a proven pass-rushing presence when he’s available.
Kevin Zeitler would give the 49ers a sturdier answer on the interior offensive line. Left guard is still unsettled, and if San Francisco stays put, that job would likely be decided in camp.
Signing Zeitler would change the conversation. He has spent almost his entire career at right guard and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023.
The 49ers could slide Dominick Puni to left guard or simply plug Zeitler in there, but either way he would strengthen the group.
Xavier Woods is another veteran who would help a position that has some fans uneasy. Safety is not exactly settled, and Woods would at least add another experienced body to the mix. He picked off two passes last season and would bring useful depth to the room.
Austin Ekeler is a different kind of add, and maybe the most interesting one on the list. He’s older and has dealt with injuries, but his value as a receiver out of the backfield still matters.
Even if he doesn’t have the burst he once did, he could be worth a look as a backup to Christian McCaffrey. If it doesn’t work, the 49ers could move on.
But if McCaffrey were to miss time, San Francisco would otherwise be leaning on unproven options like Kaelon Black and Jordan James.
Marshon Lattimore rounds out the group. He is no longer the same player he was earlier in his career with New Orleans, but he still carries a strong résumé and plenty of veteran credibility.
At the very least, he could help guide the younger cornerbacks on the roster. San Francisco may prefer to stay younger in these spots, but if the goal is to find immediate help, these five names offer some of the clearest paths.
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