The San Francisco 49ers are targeting Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown as potential free-agent additions this offseason, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. That report, published March 8, 2026, lands at a critical moment for a defense carrying four pending free agents at linebacker alone heading into the new league year.
San Francisco’s front office faces real roster math problems at two spots. The linebacker depth chart is thin, and the secondary needs reliable outside coverage. Both gaps are urgent, and the Fowler report makes clear that neither position can be ignored.
Why San Francisco Needs Help at Linebacker and Corner
The 49ers enter free agency with four linebackers set to hit the open market: Luke Gifford, Eric Kendricks, Curtis Robinson, and Garrett Wallow. Losing all four would gut the position group fast. Even retaining one or two still leaves a gap in snap-count depth, especially in Kyle Shanahan’s base 4-3 and nickel packages where off-ball linebackers handle run fits and zone drops.
Kendricks brought leadership and football IQ to the group, but his age and injury history made a long-term re-signing complicated. Gifford was a core special-teamer more than a three-down linebacker. Robinson and Wallow each logged limited snaps. If that entire group walks, San Francisco is thin before training camp opens.
The 49ers ranked among the NFL’s better defenses in 2024, finishing in the top third in yards allowed per play. Their linebacker corps, though, was aging. Depth behind the starters was a real concern all season. At cornerback, Charvarius Ward anchors the outside, but depth behind him has been a recurring problem. A free-agent addition at corner gives defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen more flexibility in sub-packages and cuts the team’s exposure to injury risk at a spot where thin rosters get punished fast.
Kaden Elliss is a linebacker coming off his tenure with Atlanta, where he built a reputation as a reliable run defender and blitz contributor. He is 28 years old and fits a profile Shanahan’s defense values: a linebacker who can handle gap assignments against the run, cover tight ends in zone, and contribute on third down without being a liability. He is not a star, but the 49ers are not chasing a star at linebacker. They need reliable starters and rotational depth.
Montaric Brown spent time developing with Jacksonville and offers man-coverage experience on the outside. His coverage grades with the Jaguars were strong enough to draw interest from multiple clubs, and San Francisco’s attention confirms he will not stay unsigned long once the market opens. Brown plays with physicality at the line of scrimmage and competes for the ball downfield. Both players represent the kind of mid-tier additions that front offices use to fill depth without blowing up cap space.
A scheme breakdown of both Jacksonville’s and San Francisco’s defensive systems shows enough overlap that Brown would not need an extended adjustment period. Sorensen mixes man and zone coverage in ways that mirror what Brown handled in Florida. If the price fits, this deal makes sense from every angle.
Elliss, meanwhile, is the kind of veteran bridge option that Lynch has favored in past offseasons. He logs starter-level snaps, contributes on special teams, and does not require a premium contract. That combination of versatility and affordability is exactly what a cap-conscious roster needs.
Key Developments in the 49ers’ Free-Agent Search
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the 49ers’ interest in both Elliss and Brown on March 8, 2026, making this one of the first concrete free-agent links for San Francisco this offseason.
Four linebackers — Luke Gifford, Eric Kendricks, Curtis Robinson, and Garrett Wallow — are set to become free agents, creating an urgent need at the position.
Elliss played for Atlanta before entering free agency; Brown spent time with Jacksonville.
Sporting News noted that a cornerback signing is considered more probable for the 49ers, though the linebacker situation is urgent enough that both moves are plausible.
General manager John Lynch must address both spots before the roster heads into the offseason program.
San Francisco carries significant cap commitments to its core offensive players. Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, and Brandon Aiyuk account for a large chunk of the team’s spending. That limits how much Lynch can allocate to defensive depth. Mid-tier signings like Elliss and Brown fit the financial profile of deals the 49ers can absorb without gutting future flexibility.
Over the past three offseasons, San Francisco has consistently used the early free-agent window to plug secondary and linebacker needs with value signings rather than chasing top-dollar names. That approach keeps cap implications manageable while still improving the depth chart. The targets here fit that exact pattern.
One counterpoint worth considering: the 49ers could address linebacker through the NFL Draft rather than free agency. If they land a Day 2 pick with the athleticism to contribute immediately, that option carries real appeal. But relying on a rookie to fill a starting role in Year 1 carries more risk than a proven veteran, particularly in a defense with as many moving parts as Shanahan’s scheme. A veteran bridge signing alongside a draft pick is the most likely outcome, based on how Lynch has operated in the past.
At corner, the math is simpler. San Francisco needs a starter-caliber player who can handle outside assignments without a long learning curve. Brown fits that description. His Jacksonville experience translates well to what Sorensen runs, and the 49ers’ interest confirms they view him as a genuine option, not just a name to monitor.
Who are the San Francisco 49ers targeting in free agency in 2026?
The San Francisco 49ers are targeting Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Both players address specific depth needs at linebacker and cornerback heading into the 2026 offseason program.
Why do the 49ers need a linebacker in free agency?
San Francisco has four linebackers set to become free agents: Luke Gifford, Eric Kendricks, Curtis Robinson, and Garrett Wallow. Losing multiple players from that group would leave the position thin for training camp, making an outside addition necessary before the roster heads into the offseason program.
Is Montaric Brown a good fit for the San Francisco 49ers defense?
Based on available data, Montaric Brown fits the 49ers’ needs at outside cornerback. His experience in Jacksonville’s scheme, which mixes man and zone coverage, translates to what defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen runs. Sporting News noted that a cornerback signing is considered the more likely move.
What is Kaden Elliss’s role in the NFL?
Kaden Elliss is an off-ball linebacker who built his career with Atlanta. He is valued as a run defender and blitz contributor who handles gap assignments and covers tight ends in zone coverage. The 49ers view him as a potential depth or starting option at a position group losing multiple free agents.
Marcus Cole is a former college quarterback who has spent over 12 years covering the NFL as a sportswriter. After playing four seasons at the collegiate level, he transitioned to journalism and quickly earned a reputation for breaking down complex play designs in plain English. His work has been featured in regional sports publications across the South, and he has covered six Super Bowls from the press box. Marcus specializes in offensive scheme analysis, quarterback evaluations, and draft coverage.
