Which offseason acquisition will have a bigger impact in 2026?

TL;DR

The San Francisco 49ers signed Mike Evans and traded for Osa Odighizuwa in a bid to strengthen their roster. The impact of these acquisitions for the 2026 season is under discussion, with Odighizuwa potentially having a greater effect due to his defensive prowess.

Key points

San Francisco 49ers signed Mike Evans and traded for Osa Odighizuwa
Evans had 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns in the 2023 season
Odighizuwa was among the top pass rushers in the NFL
Both players are expected to be difference makers for the 49ers
The impact of these acquisitions is debated for the 2026 season

San Francisco 49ersMike EvansOsa OdighizuwaDallas Cowboys

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 21: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on prior to a game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images The San Francisco 49ers made two of the biggest acquisitions in the NFL this offseason during free agency. They signed wide receiver Mike Evans and then traded for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa two days later. Just like that, the 49ers addressed two of their biggest weaknesses during the first window of free agency. Today’s question asks which of those two will have a bigger impact in 2026. While it’s a question that seems obvious on the surface, availability has to be factored in here. Evans played eight games last season. He missed three the season before, and two more in 2022. The 49ers are hoping to get the 2023 version of Evans, who played all 17 games, had 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns, and finished 13th in receiving EPA at +44.8 ( finished third that season with 81.3). Logic tells us the further the player gets away from 30, the less he’ll look like the prime version of himself, or the more those old injuries will either linger or pop up again. It’s also not your typical 33-year-old wideout. It’s Mike Evans. This version of Evans will be in a far better situation offensively than was last season. Only two-thirds of his targets last season were catchable. was fifth in the league last season in percentage of passes that were catchable. I still lean Odighizuwa. In a “down” season after made trades to lessen Odighizuwa’s role, he remained among the most productive pass rushers in the NFL. Odighizuwa’s 50 pressures were one more than ’s. Only eight players in the NFL hit the quarterback at a higher rate, while only one had a better knockdown percentage than Odighizuwa. He is the poster boy for creating havoc. You drop that player into a defense that desperately needed interior production, and the impact should top what Evans brings to the offensive side of the ball. It’s also worth noting that Odighizuwa posted the best run stuff rate of his career last season. Even if he’s a serviceable run defender and a plus pass rusher, the Niners have the players around him where they can get by with one average run defender. Evans will make his plays and take pressure off the players around him. The same is true for Osa. The bar is high for both players, and the 49ers are counting on each of them to be difference makers at their respective positions. In your opinion, which offseason acquisition will have the bigger impact?

Q&A

What are the stats for Mike Evans in the 2023 season?

In the 2023 season, Mike Evans played all 17 games, recorded 1,255 yards, and scored 13 touchdowns.

How did Osa Odighizuwa perform in his last season with Dallas?

Osa Odighizuwa had a productive season with 50 pressures and was among the top players in quarterback hits and knockdown percentage.

What weaknesses did the 49ers address with these acquisitions?

The 49ers aimed to address their offensive and defensive weaknesses by signing Mike Evans for the offense and trading for Osa Odighizuwa to enhance their defensive line.