The San Francisco 49ers had the best defense in the NFL this past season, as they finished first in yards and points allowed en route to an appearance in the NFC Championship Game.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t need upgrades on that side of the football by any means.
They finished just 20th in passing yards allowed, and they do have a couple of relative weaknesses on defense.
One of them is the defensive end position opposite Nick Bosa, who had a dominant 2022 en route to the Defensive Player of the Year award.
David Lombardi, who covers the 49ers for The Athletic, listed a bunch of edge rushers the 49ers could possibly go after in free agency.
Frank Clark
Bud Dupree
Leonard Floyd… all added to list of presumably available edge rushers in upcoming free agency.
Marcus Davenport
Yannick Ngakoue
Charles Omenihu
Samson Ebukam
Arden Key
Jadeveon Clowney
Brandon Graham
Melvin Ingram
Justin HoustonWho’ll the 49ers nab?
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) March 7, 2023
Bosa had a career year with an NFL-high 18.5 sacks, as well as 19 tackles for loss and 48 quarterback hits while earning his third trip to the Pro Bowl and his first All-Pro first-team nod.
But the other side of San Francisco’s front seven could stand to improve.
Samson Ebukam, the other starting DE, had 5.0 sacks, and he is on Lombardi’s list, although he would be an underwhelming option if the 49ers decided to merely stick with him.
The team’s cap situation will make it complicated to nab any type of big addition.
They have given out big contracts to wide receiver Deebo Samuel and middle linebacker Fred Warner over the past two years, and Bosa is due a massive extension soon as well.
The 49ers could also decide to prioritize upgrading their secondary instead, where Deommodore Lenior is a weak point.
