49ers linked to free agent to fill out starting O-line after NFL draft

The San Francisco 49ers waited until the fourth and fifth rounds to address the offensive line in the 2026 draft, perhaps signaling that they see some players in free agency worth picking up ahead of the season. Both of those picks — Carter Willis and Enrique Cruz Jr. — are offensive tackles, too, and the 49ers currently need help at guard.

That's where free agency comes into play. And NFL.com's Matt Okada writes that veteran guard Kevin Zeitler would be a great fit to join the 49ers in 2026.

The 49ers won seven of their last nine games in 2025, including the playoffs. The only two losses: against Seattle in Week 18 and against Seattle in the Divisional Round. You know, that 41-6 shellacking in which the ‘Hawks pressured Brock Purdy on 39.4 percent of his dropbacks. This offseason, San Francisco lost starting guard Spencer Burford in free agency, so an upgrade on the interior feels important. Zeitler, a 14-year veteran, earned a top-15 overall PFF grade among guards in each of the last two season and is the only still-available guard from Rosenthal’s Top 101. At 36 years old, Zeitler is likely headed for another one-year contract, but the Niners are contenders with a need -- and $44.9 million in cap space -- so it makes a lot of sense. Unless they're comfortable rocking with Dominick Puni and as their starters, Zeitler is a no-brainer add.