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The San Francisco 49ers are looking for the elusive sixth Super Bowl title. In the years after Joe Montana and Steve Young, they have come close thrice but came up short each time.
The last two ones under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have especially been painful. They had the talent on both sides of the ball, yet couldn't find a way past Patrick Mahomes and his dynastic Kansas City Chiefs.
With that said, they need more depth to continue their push. Here are some players who could help.
Five free agents 49ers should target
5) Linval Joseph
Lynch badly needs credible defensive tackles after ditching Arik Armstead and wasting multiple opportunities to replace him, whether in free agency or via trade. That has reduced his options, but fortunately Linval Joseph is still there.
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The man is a former Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants and a two-time Pro Bowler with the Minnesota Vikings. So he's an accomplshed veteran who could add depth ahd veteran leadership to a corps that's mostly unproven, save for Javon Hargrave.
4) Donovan Smith
Donovan Smith knows winning. He has clinched Super Bowls both against and with Mahomes and the Chiefs. Apart from cornerback Charvarius Ward, he also knows the inner workings of that team well.
The 49ers may also want insurance for Trent Williams, who is turning 36 next month. Despite his longevity and healthiness, there have been doubts about his future, so adding another proven contributor won't hurt.
3) Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore is one of the greatest cornerbacks in recent league history. He's a one-time Super Bowl Champion, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler.
However, s summer camp looms, he's still without a team. The 49ers could use another top cornerback beside recent Pro Bowler Charvarius Ward, and Gilmore fits the bill.
2) Michael Thomas
Michael Thomas was once one of the most prolific wide receivers in the league. From 2016 to 2019, he was a monster, putting up at least 1,000 yards, and from 2017, at least 100 receptions, inluding a league-record 149 in 2019.
Injuries and uninspired quarterback play, though, have since ruined his production, but they shouldn't be a problem in Santa Clara. Brock Purdy is among the best in the league, and playing with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle should only elevate Thomas' game.
1) Kareem Hunt
Speaking of Christian McCaffrey, he could use better depth. Elijah Mitchell has been a failed experiment in the Kyle Shanahan/John Lynch era. Jordan Mason figures to a decent backup, but a title push needs big names, and that's where Kareem Hunt comes in.
Brought back by the Cleveland Browns in 2023 after Nick Chubb's devastating leg injury, he proved a good red zone threat, scoring a career-high nine rushing touchdowns despite having fewer touches than Jerome Ford. Such scoring potential could only add to a roster full of scoring machines.
