The draft is one of the most exciting events on the NFL calendar. Despite the fact that trying to project how a college player’s abilities will translate to the next level is often an exercise in futility, the draft naturally creates optimism among franchises and their fans as rosters for the new season take some semblance of shape.
But for players already on the fringes of a roster, the direction an organization takes in the draft can highlight the challenge that lies ahead of them as they look to
ensure they retain their place on the team.
In that sense, the draft can be a concerning time for players across the league, and there are several members of the 49ers’ roster who have reason to be worried about their future on the team with the draft fast approaching.
Jordan Cowing and Jacob Watkins
Both Cowing and Watkins joined the 49ers as intriguing fourth-round picks with an enticing blend of speed and route-running ability.
Yet, in no small part because of injuries, playing time has been limited for both, and they each face the prospect of fighting for a roster spot in 2026 following the additions of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, who gives the 49ers a more experienced deep threat, in free agency.
With Ricky Pearsall sure of a roster spot and Demarcus Robinson having one more year on his contract, Cowing and Watkins are a long way down the pecking order, and the addition of a receiver via the draft would leave their places contingent on the 49ers carrying more than five wideouts on the active roster.
San Francisco is almost certain to select a wideout, and will likely use a high pick to do so. As such, both Cowing and Watkins will enter the offseason under huge pressure to catch Kyle Shanahan’s eye.
Ji’Ayir Brown
The 49ers’ safeties consistently came under scrutiny last season, with San Francisco’s lack of continuity and consistency at the position a clear issue.
Brown was the Niners’ top pick as a third-rounder in 2023 and was a frequent target of criticism in year three.
The critiques were often harsh but, it is difficult to dispute that Brown has not made the desired strides after a very promising rookie year. He has great athletic ability and instincts, but the reality is that he is a boom-bust defender whose highs are not frequent enough for him to be considered a concrete starter at the position next to Malik Mustapha.
Despite investing in Brown, Mustapha and Marques Sigle in three successive years, it’s not difficult to see the 49ers using the draft once again to try to find a solution at a problem area.
San Francisco will likely hang on to Brown regardless of what happens in the draft. However, entering the final year of his rookie deal, the use of a draft pick on a safety could be an early harbinger of a parting of the ways between Brown and the 49ers next offseason.
Darrell Luter Jr.
The 49ers have already made one move to solidify their cornerback depth this offseason, bringing in Nate Hobbs as a veteran option who brings inside-out versatility.
Still, the 49ers’ secondary would be in a tough spot in 2026 if one of Deommodore Lenoir or Renardo Green were to go down with an injury, with Luter offering little reason to suggest San Francisco would be able to lean on him in such a scenario.
As such, cornerback is a spot the 49ers could look to target with one of their four picks in the fourth round, potentially placing Luter’s roster spot in jeopardy.
Luter is entering the last year of his contract after three seasons in which he has primarily been limited to playing special teams.
With Hobbs entering the fray and fellow backup Siran Neal having finished 2025 with the second-most special teams tackles by a 49er (15 combined), the addition of a rookie into the mix at a spot where San Francisco is unlikely to carry more than six players would leave Luter facing an uphill climb to make the 53.
