The San Francisco 49ers may be in a very precarious position with their postseason birth barely in reach despite a 9-4 record, but that won't stop this front office from getting their ducks in a row as they take a look at what should be a very deep 2026 NFL Draft.
In their 2026 NFL mock draft, Marcus Mosher and Ryan Fowler of FanSided think the Niners will spend their first-round pick on either a defensive tackle who can make them a force against the run or a big-bodied Brock Purdy will love throwing jump balls to.
Mosher has the 49ers using their first-round draft choice on Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, who should team with 2025 first-rounder Mykel Williams to build San Francisco's defensive line of the future. Fowler thinks the offense should be a bigger priority for the 49ers.
Fowler has the Niners using that same pick on Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston. With Jauan Jennings a free agent, Brandon Aiyuk still hurt, and many of San Francisco's later draft picks failing to break through, Kyle Shanahan will need to find some way to surround a quarterback in Purdy that has some very clear limitations on his skillset.
49ers land Kayden McDonald, Denzel Boston in 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Even though the 49ers just spent 2025 picks on defensive tackles like Alfred Collins and CJ West, McDonald is a cut above both of them as a prospect. Alongside Collins, the defensive tackle room might be completely taken care of for the next half-decade.
Boston is a great stylistic contrast to Ricky Pearsall out wide, and he could come in handy if Jennings isn't retained. Using his 6-foot-4 frame and solid speed for his size, Boston has reeled in 19 touchdown catches in the last two seasons.
San Francisco has the luxury of being able to possibly take the best player available irrespective of position due to the overall quality of the roster. A defensive tackle like McDonald would certainly show that defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has a ton of sway, while picking Boston could be a bit more proactive to fix a possibly Jennings-less offense.
The one thing San Francisco can take solace in is the fact that this draft is expected to be very deep at some of the biggest positions of need.
Both McDonald and Boston would make for excellent 49ers if John Lynch goes that route.