Story by
Two 49ers offseason moves considered among best in NFL, per executives, coaches
- Story by
- Two 49ers offseason moves considered among best in NFL, per executives, coaches
Two 49ers offseason moves considered among best in NFL, per executives, coaches originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The 49ers have had one of the more active offseasons in the NFL, from the blockbuster signing of star wide receiver Mike Evans to the return of fan favorite Dre Greenlaw to San Francisco 's linebacker room.
Advertisement
ESPN recently spoke with NFL executives , coaches and scouts regarding their top offseason moves, and they believe there are two acquisitions by the 49ers that particularly stick out.
An NFL executive specifically liked San Francisco's trade for veteran defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick with the Dallas Cowboys .
"Getting a quality tackle for a third-round pick was considered solid value. 'Good player, perfect scheme fit, good pricing, excellent contract to inherit,' an NFC executive said of why San Francisco made a sound move," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote.
After finishing the 2025 NFL regular season with the least amount of team sacks, the 49ers were in desperate need to improve and develop their defensive line. Adding Odighizuwa brings much-needed force to the middle of San Francisco's front four, which certainly will benefit new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris's run and pass defense.
Advertisement
The 27-year-old defensive lineman spent his first five seasons with the Cowboys, recording 216 combined tackles, 17 sacks, 81 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles in 84 regular-season games so far in his career.
With Odighizuwa's acquisition, along with defensive ends Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams returning from their ACL injuries, the 49ers' pass rush and run defense drastically have improved from what it looked like six to eight months ago.
The second offseason move another league executive liked was San Francisco selecting rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with the No. 33 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
"'He was going within the first five to 10 picks in the second round,' an NFC executive said. 'That was not a reach at all. He can really play,'" Fowler also wrote.
Advertisement
A number of fans and media members considered San Francisco's selection of Stribling as a "reach" and a surprise pick early into the draft. However, the sentiment seems to have changed with Stribling proving himself to be an ideal fit in 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan's offense .
Stribling already has received praise from 49ers, including quarterback Brock Purdy to fullback Kyle Juszczyk , so expect the 6-foot-2, 210-pound wide receiver to be heavily involved in San Francisco's offense throughout the 2026 season.
