There are still eighty long Sundays until NFL football returns, yet the anticipation surrounding the San Francisco 49ers is already building as the franchise prepares for another pivotal offseason that will shape the direction of their roster, draft strategy, and championship aspirations.

As the countdown continues, early draft conversations have highlighted several prospects the 49ers may target at the NFL Combine, including electric playmaker KC Concepcion, rising defensive end Zion Young, and a handful of others whose skill sets intersect with San Francisco’s system needs.

At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Concepcion profiles as a dynamic slot receiver who thrived at North Carolina State, earning recognition for his explosive speed, separation ability, and knack for creating big plays in both the passing game and special teams.

Last season, Concepcion racked up 919 receiving yards, averaged 15.1 yards per catch, and found the end zone nine times, while also contributing two punt return touchdowns of 80 and 79 yards—highlighting his game-changing potential in space.

Analyst Daniel Jeremiah praised Concepcion’s elite top-end speed, route polish, and ability to run away from defenders, though he cautioned that the receiver’s 19 career drops remain a concern that teams must evaluate carefully during draft preparation.

For a 49ers offense that has lacked a true separation specialist in the slot, Concepcion’s burst could immediately diversify Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, though his smaller frame raises questions about whether he fits the prototype typically favored by Shanahan.

That preference for size may push the 49ers toward another receiver: Washington standout Denzel Boston, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound target whose combination of catch radius, physicality, and reliable hands align more naturally with Shanahan’s run-and-block emphasis.

Boston produced 1,715 yards and 20 touchdowns across his final two college seasons, earning a reputation as one of the most dependable possession receivers in the class, especially after recording only five drops on 204 career targets.

Jeremiah compared Boston to Courtland Sutton, noting that his blend of size and potential 4.45 speed could make him a dangerous intermediate and red-zone threat—a player capable of winning above the rim and thriving in contested situations.

However, Jeremiah also suggested that Boston may not even be available when the 49ers pick, projecting him to be selected at No. 21 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in his most recent mock draft, a scenario that forces San Francisco to consider alternative options.

Among defensive prospects, edge rushers Zion Young and T.J. Parker have garnered significant attention from the 49ers’ scouting department, each matching the physical profile the team traditionally targets in their defensive end rotation.

Young, at 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds, offers the length and power demanded by San Francisco’s scheme, while Parker, measuring 6-foot-3 and 260, brings explosiveness and leverage that could complement the presence of star pass rusher Nick Bosa.

The 49ers have used their first pick on defensive linemen in five of the last ten drafts, reflecting the franchise’s organizational belief that their defensive identity begins up front and must be maintained with depth and high-end development.

Shanahan’s system relies heavily on edge defenders who can both contain the run and generate pressure, qualities that Young and Parker project to offer once acclimated to NFL speed and coaching.

Beyond the draft, free agency presents another opportunity for the 49ers to reinforce their offensive arsenal, and tight end has emerged as one of the most intriguing positions the team could target for a meaningful upgrade.

With free-agent wide receiver options appearing limited, some analysts suggest that the 49ers may pivot toward acquiring a dynamic tight end who can function as both a mismatch weapon and a secondary receiving threat behind George Kittle.

One name linked to San Francisco is Isaiah Likely, a versatile tight end who would still slot in as the No. 2 option but possesses the athleticism to expand Shanahan’s formations and reduce coverage burden on the 49ers’ established perimeter weapons.

The idea behind this approach is simple: if the wide receiver market is thin, pursuing a tight end capable of stretching the seam or aligning flexed out wide could effectively serve the same purpose while adding layers to the playbook.

Shanahan has long valued weapons who can win across formations, block effectively, and create mismatches, and a tight-end duo featuring Kittle and a complementary pass catcher could reshape San Francisco’s offensive geometry.

Adding such a player would also diversify personnel groupings, giving Purdy more intermediate options and creating natural mismatches against linebackers and safeties, particularly in red-zone and third-down scenarios.

The 49ers’ approach to building around Brock Purdy has consistently revolved around high-efficiency play design, versatile weapons, and reliable run-after-catch players—a formula that has produced some of the league’s most efficient offenses in recent seasons.

Strengthening the tight end room would be a strategic extension of that philosophy, especially with teams increasingly scheming to limit San Francisco’s perimeter threats through bracket coverage, disguised rotations, and adjusted leverage.

Whether the 49ers pursue receiver help, an edge rusher, or a tight end, the combination of draft capital and targeted free-agency investments will define how well the team positions itself for another deep playoff push in 2026.

Fans may have to wait eighty Sundays for NFL games to return, but for the 49ers, the critical work begins long before kickoff—with decisions that may ultimately determine whether this roster returns to the Super Bowl stage or falls short again.