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By Robert Marvi
Contributing Sports Writer
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With NFL free agency only a couple of weeks away, a lot of the focus for the San Francisco 49ers as far as upgrading their roster is centered around their need for pass-rushing help. But they also need a legitimate threat at wide receiver, especially considering the wideouts currently on their roster who could be poised to leave.
Brandon Aiyuk, who was their leading receiver as recently as 2023, is on his way out, and Jauan Jennings, their most productive wide receiver this past season, will be a free agent, as will Kendrick Bourne. Meanwhile, star tight end George Kittle is rehabbing from the torn Achilles he suffered in last month's playoffs, and it is anyone's guess whether the 32-year-old will be the same once he returns.
Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is slated to be arguably the biggest wide receiver threat available in free agency in March. While the 49ers could end up being interested in him, Jose Sanchez of Sports Illustrated feels the team should steer clear of the six-time Pro Bowler.
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"Evans will be costly as a free agent because of how popular a name he is," Sanchez wrote.
"His career is amazing, and he's still a fairly good player. However, the 49ers need to get younger and faster at the wide receiver position.
"They must not go after an aging, slow player like Evans (32 years old), who is coming off an injury-ridden season. It would be going backwards, not forward.
"Perhaps Evans will give the 49ers' offense the boost they need in 2026, but what about beyond? Is he worth cashing out in free agency when his skills and body will likely decline?"
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Read more: 49ers Urged to Pursue Blockbuster Offseason Move
To be clear, Evans has been a bona fide star for a long time. He posted 11 seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, which is more than any other player besides Jerry Rice, the legendary Hall of Fame Niners wideout from the 1980s and 1990s. He also owns a Super Bowl championship ring he won during the 2020 season with the help of another legend by the name of Tom Brady.
But there are signs that Evans' best days are behind him. He appeared in just eight games in 2025 and mustered only 368 receiving yards and three touchdowns, and one shouldn't assume that a change of scenery will resurrect his prior production, even for one year.
He also won't be inexpensive. According to spotrac.com, his average market value is $13.3 million a year, and while San Francisco will likely be able to afford that, it may not be worth it for someone in Evans' situation, given the drop in his production and recent injuries.
This past season, he missed three games due to a hamstring ailment, and he later suffered a broken clavicle that cost him six more games. He also sat out three games in 2024 because of a hamstring injury.
Read more: 49ers-Steelers Could Come Together on Surprising Offseason Trade
The Niners have an aging roster, and it is time for them to start finding suitable replacements for some of their stars and key contributors. Those replacements have to be young studs, not men such as Evans who are nearing retirement.
For more on the 49ers and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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