The San Francisco 49ers are entering this offseason with two clear needs: pass rusher help and another wide receiver.
While both are big needs, the team's most important issue is to add another pass rusher opposite Nick Bosa. This season was a disaster, and they need another player opposite Bosa.
Ben Solak of ESPN predicts they'll do just that, and specifically, he predicts they'll sign a free-agent veteran pass rusher who's had multiple 17-sack seasons and is an All-Pro to pair with Bosa and form a strong pass-rushing duo.
49ers predicted to sign pass rusher who had 17 sacks in back-to-back seasons
"The 49ers will go for a defensive overhaul," Solak writes. "Expect the 49ers to pursue John Franklin-Myers, an old pal of Saleh from his Jets days, and Trey Hendrickson."
While there's a stronger link between Myers and Robert Saleh, the 49ers' defensive coordinator might get a head coaching job this hiring cycle.
If that's the case, then Hendrickson, the former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher, would be an incredible get for the 49ers this offseason.
He's 31 years old and is a four-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro pass rusher, formerly drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
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Hendrickson played in just seven games this past season, but when healthy, he's one of the more dominant pass rushers in the league.
In 2023 and 2024, Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks for the Bengals and was the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up to Patrick Surtain II last season.
Adding someone of Hendrickson's ability this offseason would be ideal, and this prediction from Solak would be a great one to come true for the 49ers.
A Bosa and Hendrickson pass-rushing duo would be incredible in San Francisco, and with his injury-shortened 2025 season, the 49ers might not have to spend so much to bring him to San Francisco.
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