ESPN handed out offseason grades for every NFL team, evaluating each move. The San Francisco 49ers were tied for one of the highest-graded offseasons, giving Trent Williams a new contract, signing Mike Evans, and trading for Osa Odighizuwa:
Biggest move: Signing LT Trent Williams to a new contract
Move I liked: Signing WR Mike Evans
Move I disliked: Drafting WR De’Zhaun Stribling with the first pick in Round 2The Seahawks are fresh off a Super Bowl victory, and the Rams spent the offseason loading up for another run. But despite a quieter offseason, the 49ers shouldn’t be overlooked in the NFC West.
San Francisco scored an early victory in free agency, landing Evans on a three-year deal that pays him just over $14 million per year and is fully guaranteed for only the $14.3 million he’ll earn in 2026. It was clearly a below-market deal, and it’s a testament to Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers that Evans wanted to take it to play for San Francisco. And it meant the team could upgrade at wide receiver without sacrificing its future financial situation.
Jauan Jennings left in free agency (for cheap) for the Vikings, but the 49ers also added Christian Kirk and used its first draft selection on Stribling at pick No. 33. The Stribling selection was a bit of a head-scratcher. He’d been a late riser but this was a reach — and reaching in the draft is bad process.
The 49ers also had success on the trade market, exchanging a third-round pick for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. Considering how inflated trade costs are for impact players in their prime, this was good work. Odighizuwa is coming off a season in which he recorded a pass rush win rate in the 84th percentile at defensive tackle, and he will cost only $16.75 million in cash in 2026.
And perhaps the biggest move was to maintain the status quo by signing Williams to a new two-year, $50 million contract, fully guaranteeing $37 million to placate the future Hall of Fame tackle. Even though Williams will be 38 in July, it still seems worthwhile considering how much top-tier talent costs at other premium positions. Given that — and how difficult it is to find quality tackle alternatives — the Niners did well to ensure Williams’ status on the team.
Evans is a colossal upgrade from the wideouts the 49ers were trotting onto the field a season ago when Ricky Pearsall was sidelined. Now, Pearsall will be the beneficiary of other teams giving their full attention to Evans.
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There’s no argument for “reaching in the draft is a bad process.” However, Stribling is a much better fit in the 49ers’ offense than some of the wideouts who were selected before him. Kyle Shanahan will be able to call plays with Stribling on the field he couldn’t a season ago with Jennings. The offense added much-needed speed with Stribling.
We’re not convinced Kirk moves the needle. In fact, he might be a sneaky pick to miss the final 53-man roster. The Niners might be better suited to see what they have in Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins, provided they stay healthy.
Odighizuwa might prove to be the best offseason acquisition for the Niners. His presence will help everybody, from Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams to a secondary that has struggled to generate turnovers. Not all pressures are created equally, and Odighizuwa will prove the value of an interior pass rusher who can stay on the field.
Add in the veteran depth along the offensive line, and there aren’t many things you can complain about this offseason. Is a B+ a fair grade?
