4 breakout candidates for the 49ers in 2026

The San Francisco 49ers roster is looking set after an eventful 2026 NFL Draft, where they made several trades and had one of the more polarizing draft classes in the NFL. That came after a quality free agency, where San Francisco addressed depth at wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback, and offensive line, rounding out their roster after relying more on younger players in 2025. Still, there are players expected to step up into bigger roles for the 49ers, as San Francisco looks to push back into contender status this season.

Who are some of the breakout candidates for the 49ers this upcoming season? WR Ricky Pearsall We said it last season, and Ricky Pearsall is back on the list in 2026 after another injury-riddled campaign in 2025. Through two years, Pearsall has played in only 20 games, while failing to eclipse 600 yards in a single season yet.

But, when he’s been healthy and on the field, Pearsall has shown the potential of being a quality No. 2 receiver for the 49ers, which is what they drafted him to be. With Mike Evans on the field for the 49ers, Pearsall should have a huge window for growth in 2026, assuming he stays healthy.

He’s a quality route-runner who can win 1-on-1 battles, both with his release and at the top of stems, and the 49ers need much more from him this season. The wide receiver play in 2025 was subpar. The 49ers didn’t get enough separation or consistency from their wideouts, and it clearly hampered the passing game.