49ers Offseason Moves Bolster Roster Strength
The 49ers had a productive offseason, particularly in bolstering their wide receiver lineup. They secured veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk through free agency, and drafted Dezhorn Stribling, adding real talent and experience to the team.
Additionally, they strengthened their defense by acquiring defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa and linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Last season, their defense allowed an average of 21.8 points per game, ranking 13th in the NFL.
Health is a significant factor moving forward, as the 49ers hope for full seasons from key players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, George Kittle, and Brock Purdy—each of whom faced injuries last year. This could help them compete intensely in the NFC West alongside the Seahawks and Rams.
However, there’s a lingering worry that it might not be sufficient to close the gap on the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks, let alone catch up with the Rams. The Rams have been aggressive this offseason, adding star players like edge rusher Myles Garrett and All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
The 49ers’ Super Bowl ambitions could be at risk if they don’t establish a solid foundation soon. It’s a concern that, when looking back, they might feel they missed out on maximizing the potential of an exceptionally talented core.
But it doesn’t have to unfold like that. There’s talk of a major trade that could bring them closer to the Rams.
Still, this doesn’t eliminate uncertainty. Questions remain about the strength of their roster. It’s not the most robust group currently, and that could impede the 49ers if they want to achieve their goals.
Interestingly, it’s not about simply beefing up the offensive line. Coach Kyle Shanahan has a track record of working around the line’s shortcomings.
The 49ers need to adopt a broader vision. This includes a willingness to strategically build towards the future while capitalizing on valuable assets. One player they should consider bringing in is Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, who started his NFL journey in 2019 in the Bay Area.
This pursuit doesn’t seem far-fetched. The reasons for a previous trade of Crosby to the Ravens still apply. At 28, he has a few peak years remaining, yet the Raiders’ current rebuilding phase doesn’t match his timeline. He’s probably eager to participate in meaningful games beyond December, even if it means leaving the only team he’s known.
The Raiders appear optimistic about their future with new head coach Clint Kubiak and promising young quarterback Fernando Mendoza. However, building a solid roster requires a long-term vision. Trading Crosby could indeed cause immediate pain, but if they gain assets in return, it could significantly aid their rebuilding efforts.
Initially, the motivation for trading Crosby was in place, but after the Ravens expressed concerns about his knee, the deal fell through.
That said, the Raiders may still reconsider trading Crosby if a suitable offer arises. Sources suggest that a reasonable proposal could involve a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and second-year edge rusher Mikel Williams.
This is an offer the 49ers should seriously evaluate. With a whopping $72,133,420 in cap space, they can easily accommodate Crosby’s $30 million base salary in 2026.
Regarding Crosby’s health, all indications are that he’ll be ready for training camp. While he had limited participation in OTAs and minicamp, he appears to be on track for a full recovery.
And even if he doesn’t need extra motivation, Crosby likely has a chip on his shoulder after the Ravens backed out of the trade, publicly raising doubts about his long-term health.
The 49ers can afford to watch how Crosby progresses. Should he return to form during Raiders training camp, all doubts will fade.
In that case, expect to see calls about Crosby flooding in from interested teams.
And the 49ers certainly need to be among those making those calls.
