Thankfully, the San Francisco 49ers solved many of their offseason roster needs via free agency and trades, highlighted by the blockbuster deals that brought aboard wide receiver Mike Evans and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.
But there's still plenty of room and need for adding talent, especially of the cost-controlled variety.
Armed with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the first of six scheduled selections, general manager John Lynch won't have a swarm of assets at his disposal to land prospects. And the draft board could go one of several different ways long before the Niners' number is called for the first time.
Nevertheless, it's a critical draft for San Francisco, especially with an aging roster core and several remaining needs.
For fans itching to see what the 49ers do, Niner Noise has you covered right here.
49ers NFL Draft tracker: Table of contents
- 49ers draft snapshot
- Best remaining draft targets for 49ers
- Updated 49ers depth chart
- Draft pick tracker
- Tracking the NFC West rivals
49ers draft snapshot
- Current draft picks: Nos. 27, 58, 127, 133 (comp), 138 (comp), 139 (comp)
- Primary needs: Defensive end, offensive guard, safety, offensive tackle
- Latest mock selection: OL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
- Last updated: Tuesday, April 21 at 8 a.m. ET
Finally extending Trent Williams resolved any immediate needs at left tackle, but a long-term heir still has to be a priority. Potentially, an option would be to grab Williams' successor and bump him inside to left guard where no clear-cut starter has been established.
But that doesn't overtake the need for an outside pass-rusher, especially after the Niners logged a league-low 20 sacks in 2025 before losing Bryce Huff to retirement.
Best remaining draft targets for 49ers
OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Caleb Lomu has been showing up on many a mock draft for San Francisco, and even though the Williams resolution lessens the need to use a Round 1 pick on the Utah product, grabbing Lomu could still be in play for Lynch and Co.
Perhaps the 49ers still have Lomu high up on their draft board, especially if they're flirting with the idea of sliding him inside to guard for the next season or two before Williams ultimately retires.
DB Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
The likelihood of Dillon Thieneman falling out of the teens and into Lynch's range is slim. But, teams don't prioritize safety play in Round 1 as much as they do other skill positions.
So, should the former Duck slip into the late 20s, the Niners shouldn't hesitate whatsoever, especially considering they need a back-end upgrade in the secondary to boost an otherwise uninspiring safety room that consists of Ji'Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha and Marques Sigle.
WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
One of the best separation artists in this year's class, KC Concepcion remains a fan-preferred favorite despite the additions of Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency.
Remember, Evans is well beyond the wrong side of age 30, and Kirk signed a one-year deal, meaning the Niners still have to draft and develop a younger receiver to pair with the oft-injured Ricky Pearsall for the long run.
WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
Omar Cooper is more in the mold of ex-San Francisco wideout Deebo Samuel, which would have to get the attention of head coach Kyle Shanahan.
True, Cooper could go much earlier than the 49ers are poised to pick. But, if the Indiana star winds up slipping, it could wholly shake up their draft board if the Niners are comfortable postponing other pressing needs until later.
DE Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
Even though he's a bit undersized, Cashius Howell is one of the more violent and disruptive edge rushers in this year's class, and the thought of him going to a defense where he wouldn't have to be the No. 1 pass-rushing guy (that's Nick Bosa's job) would certainly be beneficial.
What makes Howell intriguing is he's also adept against the run, meaning San Francisco could land a true day-one impact player who'd be fun to watch from the get-go.
DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
Keldric Faulk might be the opposite of Howell in many regards. Not as good against the run but boasting a prototypical edge-rushing frame, Faulk isn't quite as explosive and violent. Yet he possesses excellent versatility and an array of pass-rushing moves that work.
Updated 49ers depth chart
Offense
- QB: Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, Kurtis Rourke, Adrian Martinez
- FB: Kyle Juszczyk
- RB: Christian McCaffrey, Jordan James, Patrick Taylor Jr., Isaac Guerendo
- WR: Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, Malik Turner, Junior Bergen
- TE: George Kittle, Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis
- OL: Trent Williams, Robert Jones, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, Colton McKivitz, Vederian Lowe, Brett Toth, Drake Nugent, Brandon Parker, Austen Pleasants, Connor Colby, Nick Zakelj
Defense
- DE: Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Keion White, Sam Okuayinonu, Cameron Sample
- DT: Osa Odighizuwa, Alfred Collins, C.J. West, Sebastian Valdez, Evan Anderson
- LB: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune, Luke Gifford, Jalen Graham, Nick Martin
- CB: Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Upton Stout, Nate Hobbs, Siran Neal, Darrell Luter Jr.
- S: Ji'Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, Marques Sigle, Darrick Forrest
Draft pick tracker
Pick | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
No. 27 | TBA | |
No. 58 | TBA | |
No. 127 | TBA | |
No. 133 | TBA | |
No. 138 | TBA | |
No. 139 | TBA |
Tracking the NFC West rivals
Seattle Seahawks
- Round 1, No. 32 overall
- Round 2, No. 64 overall
- Round 3, No. 96 overall
- Round 6, No. 188 overall (from CLE)
Armed with only four picks, the Super Bowl-champion Seahawks don't have any glaring needs that need to be resolved immediately. Perhaps the offensive line could stand for some upgrades, and losing Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III in free agency stings a bit.
Yet the Hawks remain loaded on both sides of the ball, meaning they can reach on luxury selections at will.
Los Angeles Rams
- Round 1, No. 13 overall (from ATL)
- Round 2, No. 61 overall
- Round 3, No. 93 overall
- Round 6, No. 207 overall (from HOU)
- Round 7, No. 232 overall (from BAL)
- Round 7, No. 251 overall
- Round 7, No. 252 overall
Les Snead has little issue trading away top draft capital, and the Rams have to be stoked about landing cornerback Trent McDuffie at the cost of a late first-rounder, particularly after last year's blockbuster deal netted them the 13th overall pick from the Atlanta Falcons.
Similar to Seattle, L.A. doesn't have a ton of needs, boasts a young and elite defense and has one of the best offensive weapons in wide receiver Puka Nacua.
Now, it's only a matter of maximizing quarterback Matthew Stafford's window as best possible.
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 3 overall
- Round 2, No. 34 overall
- Round 3, No. 65 overall
- Round 4, No. 104 overall
- Round 5, No. 143 overall
- Round 6, No. 183 overall
- Round 7, No. 217 overall
The Cardinals are (again) in rebuild mode, this time under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur, who'll unquestionably bring over some Niners trends from his days working on Shanahan's offense. Heck, Arizona already inked one of San Francisco's former receiving stars, Kendrick Bourne, in free agency.
The post-Kyler Murray era will be an interesting one to watch, though. Will the Cards grab Alabama's Ty Simpson if he falls into Round 2 to find a resolution at quarterback? Or do they beef up both sides of the ball and worry about long-term quarterbacking options a year from now?
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