Biggest move 49ers still must make before 2026 NFL training camp

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Biggest move 49ers still must make before 2026 NFL training camp

Douglas Fritz, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Thu, Jul 23, 2026 ·

4 min read

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While the San Francisco 49ers enjoy their new superstar offensive duo, there's hope of a breakout star on the defensive side of the ball. But a roster tweak is needed, and here is the biggest move the 49ers must make before 2026 NFL training camp.

The 49ers enter this season as one of the top picks from the NFC to reach the Super Bowl. If they stay healthy — always a big "if" for this team — they should make a serious charge into the postseason and be noisy once they get there.

But there's still one area the 49ers need to shore up.

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49ers need to add an interior offensive lineman

With Trent Williams still at left tackle and other solid players along the line, the 49ers are good enough to compete, as is. However, in the drive for a Super Bowl run, the 49ers don't have the offensive line depth they need.

And that means they should be aggressive toward the remaining free-agent market. If they wait too long, camp injuries will open the door for the top free agents to head elsewhere. The 49ers can circumvent that situation by grabbing one of them now.

However, the 49ers need to be careful who they get. Perhaps the best fit for them would be James Daniels . A former second-round pick in 2018, Daniels played four years with the Bears before three seasons with the Steelers . He appeared in only one game with the Dolphins in 2025 because of a Week 1 pectoral injury.

The best thing about Daniels is how he would fit into Kyle Shanahan 's scheme. He has athleticism that the 49ers require in their zone-blocking schemes.

Daniels was targeted as an under-the-radar free agent earlier this year by ESPN.

"The past two seasons for Daniels haven't been good, as he managed to play only four games for the Steelers in 2024 and then got injured in Week 1 of the 2025 season after signing with the Dolphins in the offseason," Aaron Schatz wrote. " Miami cut him as part of its salary cap purge, but the (28)-year-old was one of the top guards in the league at the start of the decade. His 92.5% pass block win rate in 2023 was tied for 24th among qualifying guards. The year before, he ranked ninth at 94.5% pass block win rate."

Who is another option for the 49ers?

The 49ers could kick the tires on veteran Kevin Zeitler . This would fit the "win now" atmosphere. Zeitler is 36 years old and has played 14 years in the league.

But he still seems to be going strong. He has started at least 15 games in each of the last 11 seasons. Also, he earned his first-ever Pro Bowl berth in 2023 with the Ravens.

Zeitler is well-traveled. He has played for the Bengals — who picked him in the first round in 2012 — Ravens, Browns, Giants, Lions, and Titans. That's some journey. Inevitably, he winds up starting. And that might be the case with the 49ers in 2026 if they extend him a contract offer.

And he seems to be the right fit, according to ESPN.

"The veteran has a physical inside presence, using his power to displace defensive tackles," Matt Bowen wrote. "And he has the movement ability to pull on gap schemes, which fits into Kyle Shanahan's system.

"Zeitler also uses his strong base in protection, ranking 37th out of 65 qualifying guards in pass block win rate last season (92.4%). He would be an upgrade to the interior of San Francisco 's O-line, which saw left guard Spencer Burford leave for the Raiders in free agency."

Further evidence comes from Pro Football Focus. Last year, Zeitler graded out at 74.5. That put him No. 13 among 81 NFL guards. His run-blocking grade was No. 20 while he put up a No. 9 finish among pass blockers. Good stuff.

Regardless of which direction the 49ers go, they need to do something along the line. Colton McKivitz is slotted as the starter at right tackle. Current starters at guard are Robert Jones and Dominick Puni . Connor Colby is also in the starting mix at guard. Jake Brendel holds the current position as starting center.

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