The San Francisco 49ers made it a priority to address wide receiver and an interior pass rusher in free agency. History would suggest that one of the offensive line signings could compete with a rookie to start.
We’re also waiting to see what the 49ers do with Trent Williams. Because of the uncertainty, offensive tackle has been a popular selection for the Niners in mock drafts.
Bryce Huff’s retirement opened the door for the 49ers to go back to the well in the first round with an edge rusher. That
should become more popular the closer we get to the draft.
Here’s a roundup of a few mock drafts.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. believes the 49ers will select an offensive tackle in the first round, but it’s not a Trent Williams replacement:
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
You probably see an offensive tackle to San Francisco and think “Trent Williams heir apparent.” But Miller actually played 97% of his college snaps on the right side. Perhaps he’d transition to left tackle if the Niners can’t figure out Williams’ contract situation, but I like Miller as an upgrade over Colton McKivitz on the right side regardless of what happens there. The 6-7, 317-pound Miller would bring consistency and reliability to this O-line. (San Francisco also signed Vederian Lowe as some insurance at left tackle.)
Miller is a good player who is probably a late first-rounder in this class. The 49ers didn’t have an issue moving Dominick Puni from left tackle to right guard. Perhaps they’d do the same with Miller, just from right tackle to left guard. Still, I’ll believe the 49ers draft an offensive lineman in the first round when I see it.
Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports went to the defensive side of the ball with Missouri pass rusher Zion Young, who CBS has ranked 76th overall:
Young is one of the players I’m most excited about when it comes to the possibilities. He’s one of the younger edge prospects in the class, but he has good size and length and leaves plenty to dream on. It’s a bit of a boom-or-bust profile, but that’s something I’m more than happy to take a swing on if I’m San Francisco this late in the first round.
Young is the type of competitive player a team like the Niners should covet. He had an 18.7 percent pressure rate, so it’s not as if we’re talking about a player who was not productive in 2025.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah gave the 49ers Oregon’s tight end, Kenyon Sadiq:
This is the second time I’ve mocked Sadiq to the 49ers this year. He would be an amazing new toy for Kyle Shanahan.
Sadiq lit the NFL Combine on fire with a 95th percentile or better 10 and 40-yard split, along with vertical and broad jump. That caliber of athlete generally doesn’t last until the end of the first round. If so, you have to ask yourself why.
Nate Tice and Charles MacDonald of Yahoo Sports gave the Niners an offensive tackle:
27. San Francisco 49ers — Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
The 49ers need a big infusion of young talent along the offensive line and can do that here with Iheanachor. He is a redshirt senior, but started playing football only a few years ago in JUCO. Never bet against someone who started playing football in JUCO and didn’t quit immediately.
Iheanachor is the definition of a prospect. He has a soccer background, so you know his footwork should improve the more he plays. The flashes are difficult to ignore. You’re banking on the more Iheanachor plays, the more consistent he’ll become.
Iheanachor is all over the place in mock drafts. In a USA TODAY mock, he went No. 58 overall to the 49ers:
27. San Francisco 49ers: Avieon Terrell, CB – Clemson
58. San Francisco 49ers: Max Iheanachor, OT – Arizona State
The Falcons drafted Terrell’s older brother with Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator. We’ll see if that connection continues to be a thing the closer we get to the draft.
Missouri’s Zion Young also went in the 50s in this mock draft. There’s a tax on premium positions in the draft. It would be a surprise to see Iheanachor and Young make it into the 50s.
Pro Football Focus gave the 49ers an offensive tackle from Alabama:
With questions swirling about Trent Williams’ future in San Francisco, the 49ers could replace him with another huge offensive tackle. Proctor, not yet 21 years old, was one of seven FBS tackles to earn an 80.0-plus PFF grade in pass blocking and run blocking in 2025
There are prospects that teams should be willing to be wrong about in every draft. Is Kadyn Proctor one of those? Not in the first round.
