The San Francisco 49ers accomplished a lot during the opening weeks of the NFL new year, landing two big-name wide receivers in Mike Evans and Christian Kirk while also trading for standout defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. Additionally, grabbing cornerback Nate Hobbs and offensive guard Robert Jones shore up depth at key areas of need.
Yet general manager John Lynch wasn't able to accomplish everything. And there's still one glaring roster hole that's in need of either a patch or a long-term solution.
Or both.
Last season, the Niners finished with a league-low 20 sacks. Part of that was due to season-ending ACL injuries to both defensive ends, Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, and their expected return in 2026 should improve matters greatly. Yet that's partially offset by the sudden retirement of edge Bryce Huff at age 27, meaning Lynch and Co. should be scrambling for contingency options.
Thankfully, CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles already did the work for San Francisco by identifying two separate fixes, one of the patchwork variety and the other for the long run.
CBS Sports highlights Joey Bosa, top EDGE prospect to fix 49ers' pass-rush woes
Pereles looked at how the 49ers could solve their pass-rushing depth problems by adding both a free agent and a top prospect via April's NFL Draft.
The answers? Grab Bosa's older brother, defensive end Joey Bosa, in free agency before using a first-round pick on Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell:
"The 49ers had one of the most anemic pass rushes in the NFL in 2025, and while injuries to Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams played their parts, San Francisco still needs to make a major leap here. A Bosa brother tandem could work well in that instance. The 49ers need a speed rusher who jumps off the screen with explosiveness. Maybe that's Howell."
The thought of a Bosa-Bosa tandem in the Bay Area is nothing new, and there's a logical argument to be made of the brotherly reunion. The Niners would have a proven pass-rush duo that'd be plenty motivated to play alongside with (and compete against) each other. And it wouldn't force San Francisco to bank on a would-be rookie to supply plenty of thump either.
But, considering Joey Bosa is no longer the pinnacle pass-rusher he once was earlier in his career, getting a younger player like Howell into the mix and letting him develop would be essential, too.
The clear thinking here is Howell could take over in a year or two's time, depending on how the elder Bosa's imagined contract with the 49ers goes.
Now, it's just up to Lynch to agree with CBS Sports' plan.