Bills DE headlines potential free-agent pickups for 49ers

Free agency begins March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.

Positional needs for San Francisco 49ers: Defensive end, wide receiver, cornerback

The rich get richer. After finishing as the No. 2 seed in the NFC, the 49ers will be in the prime position in 2023 to add more talent. They have one of the most valuable assets in the sport in a cheap, young QB, whether that's Trey Lance who starts, or Brock Purdy. The Niners also have $16.5 million in cap space and few immediate needs. GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan should be able to add talent, even without two high picks gone because of trades.

Shaq Lawson, defensive end, Buffalo Bills

49ers starter Samson Ebukam is heading to free agency, as are a few backups. The team will also have to make Nick Bosa one of the highest-paid defensive players. So, San Francisco could look for a cheaper option on the other side of the defensive line. 

Lawson played in 15 games for the Bills and had 3.5 sacks. He hasn’t lived up to his first-round billing but provides a solid option for a team that already has Bosa to pressure the QB.

Equanimeous St. Brown, wide receiver, Chicago Bears

Wide receiver is an under-the-radar need for the 49ers. The team is set for 2023, but Brandon Aiyuk will be a free agent after the season, and the team is a bit thin at the position. 

The 26-year-old St. Brown had 323 receiving yards for the Bears and played 358 snaps. He could step in the No. 3 role for the 49ers next year, then take over Aiyuk’s spot if he leaves in free agency before 2024.

Jonathan Jones, CB, New England

Current starter Emmanuel Moseley ended his season on injured reserve and is a free agent, so the Niners might need a new face at the position. 

Jones played in 16 games for the Patriots and was a turnover machine, with four picks and three forced fumbles. He would add to an aggressive San Francisco defense and make it dangerous for other teams to throw away from Charvarius Ward’s side of the field.