Even with just six games down in the 2026 season, it's never too early to look at next year's draft.
The currently undefeated San Francisco 49ers use their first two picks on defense in Gilberto Manzano’s 2027 mock draft for Sports Illustrated. Manzano’s mock draft has the 49ers taking Georgia safety KJ Bolden at No. 32 and Clemson edge rusher Will Heldt at No. 64.
Bolden’s versatility could add another element to this unit. The 6'0", 195-pound Bolden could be a Day 1 lock thanks to his coverage skills and athleticism to play closer to the line of scrimmage.
It’s gotten to the point where the 49ers can’t trust Nick Bosa to stay healthy for a full season. Heldt offers depth, and his elite strength mirror’s Bosa’s skill set. The 6'6", 260-pound edge
rusher has an impressive bull rush to win matchups consistently.
Bolden has 22 tackles, two tackles for loss, a half-sack, two pass breakups and an interception returned 29 yards through six games this season. In 34 career games at Georgia, he has 157 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and eight pass breakups.
Heldt has 18 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in six games this season. Across stops at Purdue and Clemson, he has 132 tackles, 33.0 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in 43 games.
As Manzano alluded to, both picks would shore up any depth concerns the 49ers may have at each position. Safeties Ji'Ayir Brown and Ashtyn Davis are impending free agents, as well as edge rusher Keion White and Sam Okuayinonu. Bosa has just $769,471 guaranteed money left on his deal, too, meaning the 49ers could move on from him to avoid the looming cap hits of $54,866,753 in 2027 and $47,142,105 in 2028 before the void years hit.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers go all defense in first two rounds of 2027 mock draft
