4 Wide Receivers the 49ers Should Avoid in Free Agency

The 49ers must stay away from these four fool's gold wide receivers.

Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) runs against Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The San Francisco 49ers will most likely be in the market for a wide receiver when free agency opens up.

Unfortunately, there’s a lot more fool's gold than worthy talent to add. Here are four wide receivers the 49ers should avoid in free agency. 

Mike Evans

Dec 11, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) reacts after catching a pass against Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) (obscured) during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Make no mistake. Mike Evans is an excellent talent and can help the 49ers’ offense. But he’s the top free agent option at wide receiver. He’s going to have a competitive market.

Are the 49ers willing to get in a bidding war? Probably not. And while Evans is still excellent, the reality is he’s coming off an injury-plagued season and will be 33 years old to start 2026.

Cashing him out long-term wouldn’t be a wise move for the 49ers. If he was willing to take something short, then by all means. But that’s not gonna happen. The 49ers should pass on him. 

Keenan Allen

Nov 30, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) makes a catch against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Another receiver they should pass on is Keenan Allen. Now, he did have a solid season, tallying 81 catches for 777 yards and four touchdowns. But he’s running out of juice.

Signing him won’t be expensive, but the 49ers don’t need a slow and old receiver in their ranks. They’re supposed to be getting faster and younger. Stay away from Allen at all costs.  

Deebo Samuel 

Jan 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) makes a catch during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Speaking of staying away, it seems there’s a chance that Deebo Samuel could return to the 49ers after being away for a year. Samuel spent 2025 with the Washington Commanders. 

He looks to be one and done there, which opens up the possibility of him returning. George Kittle hinted at that in an interview during the week of Super Bowl LX.

Samuel gave the 49ers some incredible production and memories, especially in 2021, but he mustn’t return. Leave him in the past for good and look for someone else to help build the future. 

Tyreek Hill

Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) scores a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Arguably, the biggest name in free agency now is Tyreek Hill after the Miami Dolphins released him. Signing him would be exciting for any team if he were healthy. 

Hill is coming off a significant injury where he tore his ACL and dislocated a knee. There’s no telling when he will be ready to return to action, and if he’ll ever be close to the player he was.

There’s too much variance with Hill, and that makes him the biggest free agent for the 49ers to avoid. Even if he’s cheap, there’s no sense in bringing him aboard at this point in his career.

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