The NFL draft is two weeks away in Pittsburgh, and the rumor mill is heating up about who the San Francisco 49ers will target at number 27 in the first round.
EDGE rushers, wide receivers, and offensive linemen have been mentioned as potential selections. An EDGE rusher will have to be ready to play day one, as will a receiver, but a name that has popped up is a potential Trent Williams replacement down the line in Caleb Lomu. The 49ers would be using a first-round pick on a player who won’t see the field
for a year at least.
The balance between drafting for down the line and filling an immediate need is a tough line to walk. On the one hand, having a replacement for a hole in the future is nice, but if the 49ers are looking to compete in 2026, it’s a high draft pick that won’t help the 49ers keep up with the Rams and Seahawks this season.
Now, drafting a receiver has its own risk. We’re all aware of the potential pitfalls of a young receiver looking to secure playing time under Kyle Shanahan. Whether it is route running, blocking, or understanding where to be on each play, Shanahan is very tough on receivers, and it may take time for them to get on the field, especially now with the additions of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. Ricky Pearsall would be next.
Drafting a receiver can be seen as a pick for the present and future. The receiver room carries a high injury risk with Evans, Kirk, and Pearsall, so a first-round pick could be pressed into duty. On the other hand, a receiver could see limited snaps in 2026 with an eye on 2027 and taking over a much larger role for the future.
A first-round EDGE rusher will see the field immediately due to Raheem Morris’ involvement in the selection and the traits he desires from the position and fit in the scheme. But will ANY EDGE rusher do? The pick would have to be a dream selection for Morris and the 49ers with a player who will have an immediate impact.
The 49ers are clearly in win-now mode. Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and Kittle only have so much football left, and maximizing the current roster to compete with their division rivals is partly the goal with this incoming draft class. Also, the 49ers have an opportunity in the later rounds to fill future needs (Jude Bowry, anyone?).
The 49ers have a tightrope to walk in two weeks.
