The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2026 NFL Draft in an interesting position. They entered this offseason as a fixture in the NFC Playoff Picture, but currently do not have what it takes to make a return to the Super Bowl any time soon, which is mainly because of how competitive the NFC is.
However, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are one home run of a draft away from re-establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with. The talent on the roster has never been in question, but the injury concerns are holding the Niners back from being up there with teams like the Seahawks.
However, the NFL Draft is just as much about the decisions you don't make as the ones you do. For example, the 49ers drafting Trey Lance was bad, but passing on players like Ja'Marr Chase and Penei Sewell made it even worse. So if Lynch wants to have a strong draft, he shouldn't do the following.
John Lynch needs to avoid making these mistakes if the 49ers want to have a good draft
Drafting Denzel Boston
Other than Jordyn Tyson, Denzel Boston is probably the most divisive receiver prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Some see him as the next Drake London, while others see him as a carbon copy of Keon Coleman. And with his size and stone hands, his prospect profile comes with way too many holes.
Personally, I don't see him as a first-round pick regardless. The 49ers would be better suited grabbing a receiver like KC Concepcion or Omar Cooper Jr. at pick 27. Even Tyson if he slips makes more sense as San Francisco's long-term Mike Evans successor than a boom-or-bust player like Boston.
Waiting too long to address the offensive line
The 2026 NFL Draft is home to one of the strongest offensive tackle classes in recent memory. Beyond Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano at the top (who definitely won't be available at 27), there could be a run on offensive tackles late in the first round that should clearly intrigue the 49ers.
San Francisco is looking for their Trent Williams heir apparent, and they'll have options. Max Iheanachor, Blake Miller, Kadyn Proctor, and Caleb Lomu are the second tier of tackles, so if someone like Lomu or Iheanachor is available at 27, Lynch shouldn't hesitate to run that pick up to the podium.
Even someone like Gennings Dunker could be an option for the Niners in Round 2, but since they don't have a third-round pick, they would be foolish to wait until Day 3 to draft a tackle. They may as well capitalize on the best value at 27 unless one of the WRs or pass-rushers intrigue them more.
Failing to play to the value of the draft board
Let me preface this by saying there's a caveat here. The 49ers can pick at 27 and be fine. But they are in a unique position where both trading down and trading up can make sense. Most of the players available when they're picking are on the first round borderline, so unless anyone drops, you keep the phone line open.
If a team picking early in the second round badly wants someone, they can add a second and likely recoup the third-rounder they lost from the Osa Odighizuwa trade. That isn't a major drop all things considered, especially since this draft class sort of hits its plateau around the 20th overall selection.
However, someone like Monroe Freeling, Keldric Faulk, or Vega Ioane drops into the early 20s, Lynch better get aggressive to land his guy-- and moving up shouldn't be hard with four fourth-round draft picks in your back pocket. It all depends on how things shake out in the 26 picks before they're up.
As long as Lynch is able to play to the value of the draft board, things should work out in the long run.
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