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The 49ers found themselves at a crossroads at this time last offseason. After a three-season tear during which they’d annually reached at least the NFC Championship Game, Kyle Shanahan’s crew ran out of gas. The 49ers finished 6-11.
They entered 2025’s NFL Draft as an aging team needing a physical and financial renovation. Eleven picks and a successful 2025 season later, it’s fair to say that the 49ers are headed in the right direction — on both fronts.
They enter this year’s draft in a dichotomous situation — with football’s oldest offense and third-youngest defense — and another crossroads rapidly approaching.
Last season, for the first time since 1981, the 49ers spent their top five draft picks on defensive players. That’s how they got so young so quickly on that side of the ball. The question of strategy entering 2026 revolves around age: Will the 49ers keep pedal to the metal in their defensive renovation, or will they focus more on ensuring that offensive modernization begins with this draft?
The 49ers have short-term needs on both sides of the ball. They can use at least one more player to compete for the starting left guard spot. They can absolutely afford to employ another running back. Their defensive line, even after signing versatile veteran Cam Sample this week, is a few bodies short. Safety also seems to need at least one addition.
In a perfect scenario, the 49ers will be able to address those short-term needs with their six picks in this draft — all while attacking their bigger-picture to-do list. That involves wide receiver, where Brandon Aiyuk is likely on the way out and Ricky Pearsall is the only other player to have scored a touchdown in a 49ers uniform who’s under contract beyond 2026. And left tackle, where a contractual impasse with aging star Trent Williams remains a question.
With that context in mind, here’s my one and only mock draft of the year. Anything beyond this would be excessive guesswork ahead of a famously unpredictable event. Usefully predicting the draft is more about strategy than about specificity — which is why I’m highlighting two options for each pick.
So keep that big-picture outlook in mind as we take a stab at the 49ers’ plans. To avoid rabbit holes, we are not projecting trade possibilities. But yes, the 49ers can trade back to create more selection opportunities. Do note, however, that this draft is considered relatively weak in the lower rounds.
Round 1, Pick 27: Edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
Three top 49ers defensive ends — Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, and Keion White — are recovering from surgeries. Beyond that, top speed rusher Bryce Huff retired last month. A rebuilding line needs more bodies, and Lawrence, an exceptional athlete who might’ve been a wide receiver 30 years ago (he’s on the lanky side and will likely need to add some muscle for the NFL), should fit the bill.
Other realistic option: Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr.
Like Lawrence, Cooper is one of the 49ers’ top-30 pre-draft visits to the facility. He’s excellent in racking up yardage after the catch, an area where the 49ers have suffered a severe drop-off over the past two seasons.
Round 2, Pick 58: Guard Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Here is one good reason to draft this guy:
In all seriousness, the 49ers have repeated that they’re not done adding at left guard. The team has worked on adding size and muscle to the spot in recent seasons; Dunker is a mauler who could help the 49ers diversify their zone-based rushing attack into the world of power.
Other realistic option: Texas Tech edge rusher Romello Height
He was the speed-rushing specialist of a fantastic Texas Tech defensive line and a 49ers’ top-30 visit. Height will likely need to add some weight for the next level and may never be a running-down player, but that’s OK if he can fill Huff’s former role.
Round 4, Pick 127: WR Jordan Hudson, SMU
He was inconsistent over his college career but is known as a coachable player and hard worker. Hudson delivered 21 touchdowns over his time at TCU and SMU. The 49ers have held a private workout with this 6-foot-1, 191-pound receiving prospect.
If the 49ers don’t attack receiver in the first two rounds, they might have to settle for a prospect with more flaws. On paper, though, they can work with that. That’s why they signed veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.
Other realistic option: Kentucky guard Jalen Farmer
He’s a road grader in the run game who can help the 49ers accomplish the same goals outlined in the case to draft Dunker. It’s just a matter of when the 49ers decide to pick an offensive lineman.
Round 4, Pick 133: TE Sam Roush, Stanford
Social media read too far into Lynch’s absence at Stanford’s pro day. The GM went to Georgia’s instead. So what? The Bulldogs have more NFL prospects, and as a Stanford alumnus, Lynch is more plugged into that program than most. He already knows that Roush can raise the 49ers’ ceiling at the “Y” blocking tight end position — Luke Farrell didn’t have a great year there in 2025 — while providing a receiving complement to George Kittle.
Other realistic option: Texas TE Jack Endries
The Danville native, who played for Cal before transferring to Texas, attended the 49ers’ recent local pro day and is an adaptable talent capable of fortifying an important position in Shanahan’s offense.
Round 4, Pick 138: Safety VJ Payne, Kansas State
A 6-foot-3 safety who ran a 4.40 40-yard dash? Sign up essentially any NFL defensive coach — at the right price. And a fourth-round pick seems like an appropriate price for Payne, who was teammates with 2025 49ers safety draftee Marques Sigle at Kansas State. Payne doesn’t have top-tier pick numbers; he had only four interceptions and 13 pass break-ups over 42 college starts. But there’s a lot to work with here at a position of need.
Other realistic option: Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley
He’s another 6-foot-3 option at a spot of uncertainty for the 49ers. Ji’Ayir Brown is under contract only through 2026, Sigle still has to prove his worth in pass coverage, and Malik Mustapha is looking for a bounce-back year.
Round 4, Pick 139: CB Tacario Davis, Washington
He’s nearly 6-foot-4 and he runs a 4.41 40. Those are rare numbers that NFL teams will not ignore. The 49ers have been stocking up on cornerbacks, adding Nate Hobbs during the first wave of free agency before signing Jack Jones on Friday. It’s a vital position.
Other realistic option: UTSA running back Robert Henry Jr.
The 49ers need more depth behind Christian McCaffrey, and they preferably need it to be productive now. Henry, who’s 24, fits that bill. He’s a strong one-cut runner who logged 58 receptions in college. That second part is huge.
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