Getty

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Last season, the San Francisco 49ers struggled to sack the QB, and while the Niners will be getting Nick Bosa back healthy, the team can’t put all its hopes on Bosa staying injury-free in 2026.

As a result, the 49ers could look at the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft to find that pass-rush help, but they can also look at the veteran free agent market to fill that need before the upcoming season.

Regarding which player San Francisco could pursue, CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell sees the Niners as the top landing spot for Jadeveon Clowney, who spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys.

“The San Francisco 49ers ranked last in the NFL in team sacks in 2025, and their 1.18 sacks per game now stands as the lowest by a team that made the postseason,” Podell wrote in his article published on April 3 .

“Yes, San Francisco gets both 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year edge rusher Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and 2025 11th overall pick edge rusher Mykel Williams (torn ACL and torn meniscus) back in 2026/ Adding a healthy, proven pass rush threat along the edge in Clowney would relieve some of the urgency on those two to rush back from their injuries.

“Plus, Clowney already has plenty of pass-rush chemistry with new 49ers defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa after suiting up together in Dallas last season.”

Last season with the Cowboys, Clowney recorded a 79.2 overall PFF defensive grade , ranking 18th among 115 qualified edge defenders.

Moreover, his pass-rush grade of 80.6 placed him 15th, while his run-defense grade of 70.6 ranked 26th at the position. Clowney generated 40 total pressures, including nine sacks, 29 hurries, and two hits.

Cowboys HC Gets Blunt About Trading Osa Odighizuwa 

Speaking of Odighizuwa, the Cowboys traded the defensive tackle to the 49ers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick (No. 92). Recently, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer shared his thoughts when he learned that Odighizuwa was heading to the Niners.

“Anytime you go through a scheme change, there’s going to be adjustments where you move on from an incredible person, an incredible leader in Osa,” Schottenheimer told reporters in a March 31 video from DLLS Cowboys .

“That was one of the hard ones. I’m happy to share with you guys that I wept. We both wept on the phone together. It was hard. That’s the nature of the business, and I’m thrilled that he’s going to a place that is a great fit for him.”

Last season with the Cowboys, Odighizuwa posted a 65.9 overall PFF defensive grade , ranking 41st among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen.

Furthermore, his pass-rush grade of 71.5 placed him 25th, while his run-defense grade of 58.9 ranked 47th at the position. As a pass rusher, he totaled 52 pressures, including three sacks, 29 hurries, and 20 hits. Against the run, he contributed 20 solo tackles.

Joey Bosa Is Too Expensive for the 49ers

Another player who could help the 49ers on the defensive line is Joey Bosa . The Niners’ name has been in the mix for the veteran, and while it would be a good story to see the Bosa brothers play together, that doesn’t look likely.

“I know that would make Mama Bosa happy, but I don’t know if we can afford him,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said (h/t David Lombardi of the SF Standard ).

Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo