It feels like we’ve been conditioned for over a month now that the San Francisco 49ers are locked in on two positions and two positions only: Wide receiver and EDGE. Those will be the first two selections in some order.
That may be the case. But it also assumes the board will either fall perfectly for the Niners or they will reach for a position. Let’s start with Yahoo Sports! They are prepping us with a potential unexpected pick:
27. San Francisco 49ers — Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
The 49ers added some talent to their defensive line when they traded
for Osa Odighizuwa from the Cowboys, but they could use another young body along the line to pair with Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins, whom they drafted early last year. Coming into the season, Woods was projected to be one of the first players drafted, but a quiet 2025 campaign could have him falling to the bottom of the first round — where he can play on a talented defensive line right away.
Woods is on the smaller side, but he’s a good football player who makes the 49ers better. Isn’t that the goal? While undersized, Woods can surprise with his ability to defend the run at a high level. He has terrific hand usage and a quick first step. Finding a high-floor player at the end of the first round would be a win for the 49ers, especially at a position that is becoming increasingly more valuable in the NFL.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager had the 49ers selecting an offensive lineman:
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
San Francisco’s offensive line could be in flux if things don’t get cleared up with Trent Williams‘ contract. And to be honest, even if the Niners and Williams work out his deal, the team still has to be thinking about the future; Williams will be 38 years old next season. Lomu played left tackle for the Utes last season, and although his game is still a work in progress, he’s worthy of a first-round grade. He didn’t allow any sacks in 2025.
Lomu has the requisite height the 49ers seem to covet. His wingspan is plenty good, while his athletic testing is elite. The worry would be how he deals with power. Lomu is not a “power” player, and that can get exposed in the NFL. But when you watch him move, Lomu looks like a prospect who gets taken on the first day of the draft.
CBS Sports had the 49ers selecting Clemson’s right tackle, Blake Miller:
Blake Miller is one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft with 54 starts at Clemson. While he played right tackle for the Tigers, he could learn the finer points of left tackle from All-Pro Trent Williams, who will be 38-years-old on July 19, before eventually emerging as his successor in San Francisco.
The further in the process we get, the more enticing Miller becomes. A 22-year-old with 50+ starts, durability, and the competitiveness needed to thrive. Miller’s 80th percentile wingspan will come in handy with the different games defenses play up front. He also did 32 reps in the bench press, which is in the 91st percentile. In tight quarters, where he’d live as a guard–assuming that’s where he’d play as a rookie next to Trent Williams–Miller’s traits should prevail.
Fox Sports had the 49ers taking an edge rusher out of Texas A&M:
Howell ranks fourth in FBS in sacks since 2022 with 27 to his name in that span, but he’s on the smaller side for an edge at 6-2, 248 pounds. Still, he has an incredible burst off the edge and would be a great addition to a Raheem Morris defensive line that already features Nick Bosa and Osa Odighizuwa.
I have a hard time watching Howell and thinking that type of run-and-chase player, who is speed-dependent, will be an extension candidate after his rookie deal. Howell is fast, but he isn’t explosive. That’s where the NFL Combine comes into play. And it shows up on film. If Howell were an explosive player, you’d see him turning his speed into power as a pass rusher. He does not. Pass.
Another CBS mock has the 49ers taking a tight end out of Oregon:
This is the latest Kenyon Sadiq has been available in a mock draft exercise in quite some time. There are a number of teams who make sense for Sadiq but none that are obvious. Kyle Shanahan can get wonky with his personnel packages with George Kittle and Sadiq on the field in the short-term.
Sadiq is pure projection. The athleticism is off the charts, but you watch him play and come away wanting more. Whether that’s as a pure route runner, when the ball is in his hands, or releasing off the line. But you’d be dropping him into an offense where Sadiq could rely on his speed on crossing routes, and give Brock Purdy a vertical threat down the middle of the field.
