While it is widely assumed the San Francisco 49ers are going to select a wide receiver at some point during the 2026 NFL draft, can the 49ers have a successful draft without taking a wide receiver? At this point, with the draft so close, draft scenarios need to be figured out. Rather than trying to produce a perfect draft, walking through scenarios with different players available is more effective right now.
Using PFF’s mock draft simulator, I explored what a draft without a receiver might look like.
Yes, it is safe to assume the trenches became the focus on both sides of the ball. Again, some of the landing spots might be “unrealistic”, but the draft is unpredictable.
The first three picks go to defense in this scenario, with the 27th pick being draft board faller Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo. Pick 58 nets the 49ers Gabe Jacas from Illinois, and double up the position at pick 127 with Tyreak Sapp from Florida. McNeil-Warren and Jacas may not be there at those spots, but starting with both is definitely a reason to skip wide receiver.
The next two picks are for addressing the offensive line. The 49ers could grab guard Beau Stephens from Iowa with pick 133 and land tackle Jude Bowry from Boston College with pick 138. Stephens can compete for the starting guard job, and Bowry could replace Trent Williams since he needs time to develop.
Pick 139 might be the time for the 49ers to look to trade back and grab a lottery ticket draft pick in the late sixth or seventh round. In this scenario, the 49ers move back one spot to pick 140 and acquire pick 228 from the Jets for pick 139.
Use pick 140 on a tight end for the future, if available, and finish the draft with a center at pick 228. I chose Parker Brailsford from Alabama.
Is this a strategy for the 49ers? Probably not, but there is a world where value has to be in the conversation for a pick rather than just a need for the position.
