San Francisco's defense recorded just 20 sacks last season, the lowest total in the NFL by a wide margin. The concern has only grown this offseason. Veteran edge rusher Bryce Huff unexpectedly retired. Additionally, Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams are working their way back from ACL injuries, while Clelin Ferrell and Yetur Gross-Matos are free agents.
Speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, general manager John Lynch acknowledged the need for improvement along the defensive front.
"I think you always want to get better as a team," Lynch said. "Now, one tangible thing, we've always prided ourselves on our defensive front, and getting after people. And last year, if you just look at the numbers — now, I don't think the numbers are always reflective. I felt like there were games where we put a lot of pressure on. But you've got to put the quarterback down, and so that's something that we want to address, and we will address."
In his latest mock draft, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area projects the 49ers selecting former Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker (6-4, 263) with the No. 27 overall pick.
"Parker is the kind of versatile D-lineman the 49ers did not get in free agency," Maiocco wrote. "His 2025 season was not as strong as 2024, but he turned heads during top-notch competition at the Senior Bowl."
Meanwhile, Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports has San Francisco going with former Missouri defensive end Zion Young (6-6, 262) in the first round of his latest mock.
"Young is one of the players I'm most excited about when it comes to the possibilities," Fornelli wrote. "He's one of the younger edge prospects in the class, but he has good size and length and leaves plenty to dream on. It's a bit of a boom-or-bust profile, but that's something I'm more than happy to take a swing on if I'm San Francisco this late in the first round."
With a clear need to reestablish their defensive identity, the 49ers appear increasingly likely to target pass-rush help early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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