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Strategic Wide Receiver Targets for the San Francisco 49ers in Free Agency

Published

5 months ago

February 22, 2026

Strategic Wide Receiver Targets for the San Francisco 49ers in Free Agency

The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2026 NFL off-season with a clear mandate: strengthen their receiving corps to complement their potent offense and support quarterback Brock Purdy.

With the potential departure of key contributors and looming contract decisions, the upcoming free agency period presents a pivotal opportunity. This article provides three wide receivers the 49ers should pursue, and makes the case for retaining Jauan Jennings, whose impact has been understated but crucial in high-leverage situations.

Again, the 49ers are at risk of not only losing Jennings but also Brandon Aiyuk, who quit on the team, and Kendrick Bourne, who filled in admirably when needed this past season. A pair of returners, Trent Taylor and Skyy Moore, are also pending free agents.

First on the docket, the 49ers should prioritize bringing back Jennings if the price is fair. The 49ers can’t afford to pay $20-plus million for Jennings. Spotrac has his market value pinned at $22 million annually, which is too rich for my taste.

Now, if the market for Jennings across the league comes in somewhere in the $16-17 million range, we can have a different conversation. In 2025, Jennings totaled 643 yards on 55 grabs for nine scores and converted 54.3% of his third-down targets into first downs.

He also posted seven red zone touchdowns on just 22.9% of red zone targets with a 57.89% catch rate. In comparison, Christian McCaffrey accounted for 30.1% of the 49ers’ red zone targets in 2025, making an 80% catch rate for 118 yards and seven scores.

Amon-Ra St. Brown led the league in red zone target percentage with 41.5%. It goes without saying that Jennings is also a fearless run-blocker, and in Kyle Shanahan’s system, that’s nearly as important as catching the football for receivers.

Three Free Agency Targets: Balancing Upside, Reliability, and Versatility

Alec Pierce: Downfield Threat with Untapped Potential

If the 49ers are willing to pay $20-plus million to a receiver, spending it on a downfield threat that can unlock others in Shanahan’s system seems a bit more valuable than a possession receiver.

In years past, the 49ers had the ability to attack you at all three levels in the passing game with Aiyuk deep, George Kittle, Jennings, and Samuel in the intermediate level, and Samuel and McCaffrey short or behind the line of scrimmage. This past season, with all of the injuries to Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, Kittle, and Jennings, really limited their explosiveness, which we’ve grown to see over the years.

Alec Pierce, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, offers the 49ers a dynamic vertical threat. In 2025, Pierce averaged 21.3 yards per reception, and 22.3 in 2024, both of which led the league. He posted a catch rate of 56%, and his ability to stretch defenses complements the 49ers’ play-action-heavy scheme.

Pierce, 26, with a relatively clean injury history, suggests long-term upside, making him a cost-effective addition. His athleticism and route versatility would open up the field for Purdy and alleviate pressure on the mid-range route-runners and the run game.

Keenan Allen: Veteran Reliability and third-down Security Blanket

Keenan Allen, despite nearly claiming his old age pension in football terms, remains one of the league’s most-trusted possession receivers. In 2025, Allen registered 81 receptions for 777 yards and four touchdowns, converting a 54.9% success rate and providing Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers offense with a 66.4% overall catch rate.

His route precision and football IQ could be very valuable to Purdy and the 49ers offense, especially on third down. Allen appeared in 17 games last season, the most of his career in a single season. His leadership and experience would be invaluable in mentoring younger receivers, including Pearsall and whoever they add in the draft.

At this point in his career, Allen should be available at a reasonable rate.

Kalif Raymond: Versatile Depth and Special Teams Impact

Kalif Raymond brings a unique blend of speed, versatility, and special teams prowess. In 2025, Raymond notched 24 catches for 289 yards and one score, while also averaging 7.5 yards per punt return. That said, in 2024, Raymond averaged 13.8 yards per punt return and led the league with 413 punt return yards. This past season, Raymond totaled 161 kick return yards on six opportunities.

His ability to operate from the slot, stretch the field on jet sweeps, and contribute as a return specialist enhances roster flexibility. I see him as a slight upgrade and a bit more trustworthy as a depth receiver than Skyy Moore.

Moore accumulated 907 kick return yards on 33 chances this past season. A lot of that comes down to special teams philosophy, whether you want your returners to run them back or are content with a touchback.

Raymond’s durability and adaptability make him an ideal depth option, especially for a team that values creative offensive packages and reliable field position.

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4 arrested, 3 cited after brawl following Giants vs. Rockies game at Oracle Park

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33 minutes ago

July 11, 2026

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4 arrested, 3 cited after brawl following Giants vs. Rockies game at Oracle Park

July 11, 2026 / 9:07 AM PDT
/ CBS San Francisco

Four people were arrested and three others were cited following a fight that took place following a San Francisco Giants game at Oracle Park Thursday night.

According to San Francisco police, the fight broke out at 9:46 p.m., after the matchup between the Giants and Colorado Rockies in which San Francisco won 8-2. Officers working at the ballpark responded and detained seven people who were involved.

A preliminary investigation by police determined that the altercation was result of a verbal dispute that turned physical.

Officers said they developed probable cause to place four people under arrest. Police identified those arrested as 29-year-old Major Norton of Suisun City, 21-year-old Jaylynn Del Toro of Fresno, 23-year-old Elijah Ortega- Garcia of Selma in Fresno County and 26-year-old Gisselle Lopez of Vallejo.

All four were booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of disturbing the peace and public intoxication. Norton was also booked on suspicion of assault likely to produce great bodily injury.

Three people were cited for disturbing the peace and released. Police did not provide additional details about the fight.

In a statement to CBS News Bay Area, a Giants spokesperson said the incident “was a horrible and intolerable display of behavior.”

“SFPD made multiple arrests and those involved will be banned from the park,” the team added.

The Giants are in the middle of a four-game series with the Rockies, which concludes on Sunday. Both teams are at the bottom of the National League West standings heading into next week’s All-Star break.

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Classical music series helps reconnect downtown San Francisco community

Published

11 hours ago

July 11, 2026

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Classical music series helps reconnect downtown San Francisco community

Coffee, croissants and classical music brought office workers, residents and visitors together at One Sansome as the free monthly Baroque & Brew series transformed a weekday morning into a community gathering in downtown San Francisco.

The event, held inside the Conservatory at One Sansome, featured live performances by Philharmonia Baroque and invited attendees to enjoy music in the landmark building’s 8,100-square-foot atrium.

Guests were free to sit or stand while listening, with many nearby office workers stopping in during an early lunch break.

The monthly series is scheduled to return in August and September and aims to bring together downtown workers and neighbors through music and shared public space.

“It’s a beautiful opportunity to have coffee, to be in community, and do what our city is known for—the art, the culture—and to share it with each other,” attendee Roger Joyner said. “It’s a beautiful summertime moment.”

Joyner said events like Baroque & Brew reflect the character of the city.

“I think that’s what San Francisco is meant to be…a city that offers culture and the beauty of art to the world. And we that live here get to enjoy it,” he said.

Organizers said the performances are intended to make live classical music more accessible while contributing to ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown San Francisco.

“It’s just a really nice way for us to get the music out of the concert hall to the people downtown, trying to reactivate Downtown San Francisco and show what a welcoming place we can be as a city,” said Isaac Bunch, general manager of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale.

For Joyner, the event also offered a chance to pause amid the pace of daily life.

“We get to take a break. We are hustle and bustle, doing what we do to make the city work, and then we get refreshed by it,” he said. “I think it’s great — it brings it right into the middle of our hub.”

The gathering highlighted how music, conversation and public spaces can bring people together as downtown San Francisco continues its recovery.

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San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie Blocks Vacant Grocery Store Tax Proposal | KQED

Published

21 hours ago

July 10, 2026

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San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie Blocks Vacant Grocery Store Tax Proposal | KQED

The Affordable Groceries Act aimed to increase access to grocery stores and pharmacy chains by taxing empty storefronts and establishing a fund to subsidize groceries.

A view down an aisle at a Safeway supermarket in Walnut Creek, California, on July 22, 2025. Mahmood, who represents the Tenderloin, claims that Lurie stepped in to swat down the grocery store tax proposal because Amazon, which owns Whole Foods Market, had been “lobbying intensely” against the proposal at City Hall for weeks. (Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)

“They don’t like taxes on corporations. It’s just philosophical. But the unprecedented part is that yesterday, I got a call that they are going to actively oppose this,” Mahmood said of the Lurie administration. “The only conclusion I can draw is this comes from pressure that Amazon built.”

Mahmood, who represents the Tenderloin, claims that Lurie stepped in to swat down the grocery store tax proposal because Amazon, which owns Whole Foods Market, had been “lobbying intensely” against the proposal at City Hall for weeks.

According to Mahmood, Amazon lobbyists requested an exemption to the legislation for the company’s shuttered Whole Foods storefront on Market Street. Mahmood declined the request.

Supervisor Bilal Mahmood speaks during a rally for survivors of sexual assault and harassment at San Francisco City Hall in San Francisco on July 7, 2026. (Gina Castro for KQED)

“They said, if you do this, we will campaign against it,” Mahmood told KQED. “The explicit words from their lobbyists were, we just spent $250,000 against Prop D. We could probably do the same here again.”

Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Proposition D, known as the Overpaid CEO Tax, appeared on the June primary ballot and aimed to tax major corporations to fill the city’s budget gaps. Opponents, including moderate political pressure groups and tech leaders, spent millions of dollars to defeat it. Lurie also urged a “no” vote. It ultimately failed to pass.

The closure of grocery stores and pharmacies has factored into affordability challenges in the city.

Nearly a third of San Franciscans living below the poverty line are food insecure, according to a 2024 report by the city’s Food Security Task Force, and nearly 110,000 residents utilize CalFresh, a food benefits program that the Trump administration has made qualifying for more difficult.

But Lurie has said Mahmood’s plan won’t help fill the city’s many empty grocery stores.

“Mayor Lurie is working to bring grocery stories to San Francisco’s communities. More taxes won’t achieve that,” said Charles Lukvak, the mayor’s spokesperson. “We support the Affordable Grocery Fund and will continue working with Supervisor Mahmood and the entire Board to bring more grocery stores to the city.”

Taxes collected on the vacant storefront proposal could have gone toward a new affordable grocery fund, which would also accept private donations if both measures passed. The fund would be intended for a variety of different affordability programs focused on healthy food.

Mahmood said Lurie urged Supervisor Connie Chan to cut the item from the upcoming Budget and Finance Committee agenda, striking its chances of going on the ballot this November.

A spokesperson for Chan said she supports the intent of the legislation but that it required more work and was not ready to go before the board or voters.

San Francisco Supervisor Rafael Mandelman speaks at a press event in front of San Francisco City Hall on Oct. 29, 2025. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)

“Budget Chair Connie Chan agrees with Supervisor Mahmood’s intent for this measure — we need more neighborhood grocery stores — but she also understands that much work needs to be done to this measure to deliver that intent,” said Robyn Burke, Chan’s spokesperson. “Supervisor Mahmood has amendments he wants to make to his legislation that he is still working on.”

Mahmood said he had support from Supervisors Chyanne Chen, Danny Sauter, Stephen Sherrill and Myrna Melgar for the proposal.

He has a final Hail Mary he is holding out for that could allow the proposal to move forward after a motion next Tuesday, if Board President Rafael Mandelman steps in to initiate a vote. Mandelman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“When a proposal to make groceries more affordable gets pulled from the agenda before the public even gets to weigh in, that’s a problem no matter who asked for it,” Mahmood said. “San Franciscans deserve an up-or-down vote, in public, from their elected leaders.”

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