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49ers Target Free Agent WR to Replace Brandon Aiyuk: Report

March 01, 2026 5 min read views
49ers Target Free Agent WR to Replace Brandon Aiyuk: Report
Megan ArmstrongBy Megan ArmstrongShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are set to become unrestricted free agents once the NFL's new league year and free agency period officially open on March 11. Veteran wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, 31, and the oft-injured 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall are under contract, but the 49ers' wide receiver room needs attention.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler labeled San Francisco as "a sneaky contender" to be active at the top end of the wide receiver and defensive line free agency markets.

"They want a disruptive interior rusher to pair with Nick Bosa, for example," Fowler reported. "John Franklin-Myers is the top option there. At wideout, Green Bay's Romeo Doubs is considered a good fit for San Francisco's offense and a potential option, along with Minnesota's Jalen Nailor."

Packers wide receiver Christian Watson...

San Francisco may need to be more aggressive for a pass-catcher than they previously planned after All-Pro tight end George Kittle tore his Achilles in its NFC Wild Card win over Philadelphia.

The 49ers thought they had squared away Brock Purdy's No. 1 wide receiver for the foreseeable future when they extended Brandon Aiyuk on a four-year, $120 million contract in August 2024, but Aiyuk tore his ACL and MCL just seven games into the 2024 season. To make matters worse, Aiyuk ghosted the 49ers in 2025 — reportedly missing rehab appointments and displaying erratic behavior while away from the team. He didn't play a down for San Francisco in 2025. The 49ers voided the guarantees in Aiyuk's contract.

"I think it's safe to say that he's played his last snap with the Nines," 49ers general manager John Lynch said in January. Last week, ESPN's Adam Schefter told Pardon My Take that he believes Aiyuk will be released on March 11.

Enter: Romeo Doubs?

The Green Bay Packers drafted Doubs in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The 25-year-old put 724 yards and six touchdowns on 55 catches at 13.2 yards per reception across 16 games last season. In the Packers' NFC Wild Card loss to the Chicago Bears, Doubs went off for 124 yards and a touchdown on eight catches.

ESPN's Rob Demovsky wrote that "it's hard" to see Green Bay re-signing Doubs, given the team still has to decide whether to pay Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Matthew Golden.

"The Packers never considered him a No. 1 receiver, but perhaps another team will. Even as a solid No. 2, Doubs could be in line for a contract that averages in the $12 million per year range, according to several NFL sources who have studied this year's market," Demovsky wrote.

As for whether the 49ers will go after Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, ESPN's Fowler reported that the 29-year-old has "been attached to the $20 million threshold" in conversations he had with sources.

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