STANFORD, Calif. — John Lynch acknowledged Wednesday that it felt “terrible” watching one San Francisco 49ers player after another depart during last week’s roster purge, but he insisted the team has a plan.

“We’ve got this thing called the draft, and we’ve got a lot of picks,” the 49ers general manager said during Stanford’s pro day, his first public comments since free agency began. “And I think the thing the fans should know is we have a plan. And we’re gonna execute that plan. And we’re excited about the opportunity.”

The opening week of free agency saw the 49ers lose starters like linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, guard Aaron Banks and three-quarters of last year’s starting defensive line: Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins and Leonard Floyd.

Meanwhile, the team mainly added economy-budget players on one-year deals. The splashiest acquisitions were a pair of former Jacksonville Jaguars players: quarterback Mac Jones and tight end Luke Farrell.

Some exits were understandable. Offensive linemen Banks and Jaylon Moore, for instance, got big-money offers few envisioned the 49ers matching. Other outgoing veterans had injury histories or young, rising players at their positions.

Two, however, were more difficult to reconcile. On an injury-riddled 2024 squad, Collins and Floyd each played 17 games and, statistically at least, performed as they had before the 49ers added them a year ago. Lynch was asked specifically about Floyd and Collins.

“The bottom line is you’re always looking at years out (from now),” he said. “And we forecast it, and we’ve got some big things coming our way. And you have to clear the requisite room to be able to do that. And you don’t want to get to a point where you have to do things to keep your roster afloat. You want to have that flexibility.”

Lynch credited team owner Jed York for opening his wallet in previous free-agency cycles, including last year’s.

“Last year, we had such a good roster,” he said. “I think we doubled down and said, ‘Let’s go for this thing.’ And we kinda pushed all the chips in knowing that at some point you’re gonna have to have that reset. And this was the year. So guys like Leonard Floyd and Maliek — believe me, their impact was felt. They were great. It was nothing they did wrong. We just felt like it was the time to do it, and we’re excited about what we can add and replenish.”

The 49ers were one of several teams that tried to sign Greenlaw, but the linebacker opted to go to the Denver Broncos on a three-year deal. Lynch said Dee Winters would be one of the players who compete for the every-down weakside linebacker spot.

“He’ll have an opportunity,” Lynch said. “I think a lot of guys … there’s still a lot of time between now and when we play. But he’s a guy we like. And he’s still growing as a player. (Defensive coordinator Robert) Saleh’s here. And it’s been fun to have a new lens on things. He’s very excited with Dee and a lot of players.”

As for Jones, Lynch and Shanahan took a close look at the then-Alabama quarterback in 2021 when they had the No. 3 pick. Though they went to the school’s pro day, there wasn’t a lot of in-person contact because of the pandemic. Jones has stopped by the 49ers’ headquarters since signing a two-year deal; he wasn’t allowed to visit four years ago.

“A lot of Zooms,” Lynch recalled of that draft cycle. “We Zoomed about as much as you could.”

The 49ers now have three quarterbacks on the roster: Jones, Brock Purdy and Tanner Mordecai. Lynch said he wasn’t sure if the team would add a fourth passer.

“I think we’re pretty good,” he said. “You never close the door.”

The 49ers GM said Purdy continues to work out at the team facility, but he declined to discuss the quarterback’s ongoing contract discussions, which is one of “the big things coming our way” Lynch referenced. The others are contract extensions for team leaders like Fred Warner and George Kittle.

“We love all those guys,” was all Lynch would say when asked about progress on those deals.

Lynch and wide receivers coach Leonard Hankerson were part of the 49ers’ contingent at a Stanford pro day at which receiver Elic Ayomanor was the main attraction. Lynch also was one of five 49ers scouts at Oregon’s pro day earlier in the week. The Ducks have several draftable players, including defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, a possibility for San Francisco at pick No. 11.

Lynch said his trip to Eugene, Ore., included a dinner with head coach Dan Lanning.

“There’s a lot of talent up there,” Lynch said. “It was kind of like Michigan’s pro day last year.”