While the San Francisco 49ers push for an NFC West title and a deep playoff push into the winter, many fans are already thinking about April and how general manager John Lynch can continue to build on an already talented roster.
While much will change before we get to April, with scheme fit, personal evaluation, and conversations with scouts across football in mine, here is an early look at where the Niners could go come April.
Round 1, Pick 26: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
San Francisco's long-term outlook at tackle remains unsettled with Trent Williams aging and continued questions on the right side, making Lomu a logical investment in the trenches. He has extensive experience at left tackle, which should allow him to slide over to the opposite side due to the natural athletic profile it takes to live at that spot.
Easier said than done, but his ability to mirror speed rushers and recover with length gives San Francisco flexibility to plan for both immediate competition and future succession.
Round 2, Pick 58: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan
San Francisco’s pass rush has lacked consistent juice off the edge, and Moore brings needed pop to a rotation that has leaned too heavily on scheme pressure. He plays with burst, violence in his hands, and enough bend to threaten tackles vertically, while still holding his own against the run.
Right away. Moore profiles as a high-energy rotational rusher early with the upside to grow into a more prominent role.
Round 3, Pick 90: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Branch would be a natural chess piece in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, capable of stressing defenses horizontally and vertically from multiple alignments. He can play inside or out, handle manufactured touches, and threaten defenses after the catch with elite explosiveness. His special teams value only adds to the appeal, giving the 49ers a dynamic athlete who expands the playbook immediately.
A transfer to Georgia from USC, Branch is one of the most explosive playmakers in the class.
Round 4, Pick 126: Michael Taaffe, S, Texas
Taaffe is the type of dependable, assignment-sound defender San Francisco has consistently valued in its secondary. While he lacks elite measurables, his tape shows a player who tackles cleanly, processes quickly, and rarely puts himself out of position. His versatility to play deep, in the box, and on special teams makes him a valuable depth piece with rotational upside.
He's just a flat out good ballplayer.
Round 4, Pick 134: Anto Saka, EDGE, Northwestern
Saka brings size, physicality, and developmental upside to the edge room, particularly on early downs. He has shown the ability to set the edge against the run while flashing pass-rush potential when asked to pin his ears back, though, and with continued refinement, he projects as a useful rotational defender who can grow into more situational pass-rush responsibility.
Round 4, Pick 137: Keylan Rutledge, iOL, Georgia Tech
Rutledge adds much-needed physical depth to the interior offensive line, bringing a mauler’s mentality and play strength to the front five. He thrives in tight spaces, generates movement in the run game, and fits the Niners’ preference for toughness inside.
Round 5, Pick 165: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State
After cleaning up penalty issues that plagued him previously (16 in 2024), Igbinosun emerged as a reliable contributor in a loaded Ohio State secondary. He plays with confidence, physicality, and improved discipline at the line of scrimmage, making him strong value in the fifth round.
His experience against elite competition positions him well as developmental depth with rotational potential in a young secondary.
Round 5, Pick 174: Lawson Luckie, TE, Georgia
While George Kittle remains a centerpiece, adding athleticism and depth at tight end is never a bad investment on Day 3.
Luckie provides upside as a pass-catching option from a program known for producing NFL-ready tight ends, while offering flexibility in personnel groupings and long-term insurance at the position.
Round 7, Pick 227: Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana
Fisher embodies the profile of a late-round linebacker who sticks on an NFL roster by doing everything well. He is instinctive, physical, and consistently around the football, while also projecting as a core special teams contributor. It's players like Fisher who often outplay their draft slot and force other teams to ponder why they passed on him multiple times on draft weekend.
Round 7: Patrick Payton, EDGE, LSU
Payton is a classic late-round upside swing, bringing rare length, athletic traits, and former high-end pedigree to the edge position.
While his college career never fully matched the early hype, the physical tools remain extremely intriguing at 6-foot-6, 255 pounds. If the development somehow clicks in an NFL environment, he has the potential to become one of the steals of the entire draft class as a guy that had first-round buzz just a few years ago.