It is a miracle how good the San Francisco 49ers turned out to be in 2025. Electrical substation or not, the roster was ravaged by injuries, yet they still managed to win 13 games and reach the Divisional Round.
Now, they need to fill out the roster with the right pieces to ensure they don’t face a similar problem in 2026. For one analyst, though, one of the most pressing areas of need is the wide receiver spot.
San Francisco 49ers Give Brock Purdy More Weapons
Last season, their starting quarterback, fresh off a new five-year, $265 million contract, spent a lot of time dealing with turf toe. But he wasn’t the only injury that the franchise had to contend with.
The wide receiver corps was virtually nowhere to be found, with Ricky Pearsall constantly coming in and out of the lineup, George Kittle missing multiple games, and Brandon Aiyuk nowhere to be found.
The veteran saw his relationship with San Francisco sour, and he did not show up at any point during the season. Now it seems inevitable that he will be released from the roster, leaving the position wafer-thin.
Cameron Sheath of PFSN, as a result, has his sights set on the 49ers adding more talent for Purdy to throw the ball to. With a Super Bowl appearance and another trip to the NFC Championship Game, he has already proven that he knows the formula for success.
But he will need more help if San Francisco wants to take that leap. In his latest mock draft, Sheath believed they needed to add more depth to the wide receiver spot.
“The 49ers have holes everywhere, but wide receiver may be among the most urgent needs. With George Kittle potentially missing the start of next season, San Francisco’s offense in September currently projects to be Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and Ricky Pearsall.”
As a result, his choice for the position was Zachariah Branch with the 58th overall pick. After limited opportunities at USC, Branch came to Georgia last season and immediately showcased electrifying athleticism and game-breaking speed.
Ranked at number three on PFSN’s College Football WR Impact, he is exceptional at securing catches and converting them into even bigger gains, which allowed him to rack up 811 receiving yards with the Bulldogs alongside 11 career touchdowns.
“Shanahan has worked wonders with players who can make plays after the catch, and Zachariah Branch is among the best in this year’s class with the ball in his hands.”
It remains to be seen if the team can make magic once again. But adding a threat like Branch could help them shore up an offense that needs all the help it can get.
