There's a lot already being said about the San Francisco 49ers' 2026 NFL Draft class, the bulk of which revolves around the many reaches made by general manager John Lynch and Co.
It certainly seems to be the case, but the hard reality is the true grade on the class won't be known for several years. And even if there were bad reaches, the general consensus surrounding the 2026 class overall is that it wasn't a particularly impressive crop of prospects.
The same can't be said about 2027, though.
Perhaps 2026 will be regarded as a "tweener" class, one in which the Niners merely beefed up areas of the roster that needed some reinforcement.
2027 might be a year in which they fully begin transferring their now-aging core to a younger group of cornerstone players.
And one of those might include a would-be replacement for aging running back Christian McCaffrey.
It's far too early, but who cares? Using Pro Football and Sports Network's already-available mock-draft tool, let's mock out seven rounds for San Francisco... in 2027.
49ers too-soon 7-round mock 2027 NFL Draft kicks off with a bang
McCaffrey will turn 30 years old this offseason, meaning his time as an elite-impact player is approaching its conclusion. Combined with injuries, and understanding CMC's impact on the 49ers offense, it's time to find someone who can be a workhorse replacement.
Ole Miss' Kewan Lacy projects to be just that, and there's a good chance he winds up being the top running back selected in April of 2027.
The Niners need an infusion of young blue-chip talent, and the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Lacy should qualify.
Just like McCaffrey, San Francisco needs to consider an heir apparent to left tackle Trent Williams, who'll turn age 38 this offseason. Despite a recent extension, the door is closing on Williams' own Hall of Fame career, and the 49ers have yet to establish someone lined up to replace him.
While there wasn't great first-round value for a would-be fit, the Niners line up a Williams-for-Williams succession plan in Round 2 by grabbing SMU's P.J. Williams, a promising specimen with a huge wingspan and great movement skills.
He'll just need a little polish to be a full-time starter.
Total concidence to grab two players with the first name, P.J., so don't think we're looking for pajamas here.
Either way, after opting not to grab a defensive back in 2026 but still in need of a true free safety, San Francisco opts to go with someone from a program known for churning out elite defensive backs, P.J. Woodland from LSU.
At 5-foot-11 and 165-pounds, Woodland needs to add some bulk to his frame. But the 49ers would already appreciate his ranginess and playmaking ability.
George Kittle has permission to play however long he wants, but the fact he's also on the wrong side of 30 years old suggests the 49ers need to start thinking about contingency plans.
A big year from Cal's Dorian Thomas could seriously up his draft stock from a day-three pick, but the versatile and playmaking tight end winds up being a quality draft-and-develop prospect in Round 4 for the Niners here.
The return of Dre Greenlaw this offseason is nice, but he's back solely on a one-year deal and has a notorious history of injuries. And after trading off Dee Winters to the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco doesn't have too many likable long-term options for pairing with Fred Warner.
Unless it strikes gold again with another fifth-round pick, grabbing the rangy Raylen Wilson out of Georgia to ultimately replace Greenlaw.
Draft a quarterback every year, even if you don't need one. Besides, Mac Jones won't be backing up Brock Purdy once 2027 rolls around. The former will sign a hefty deal to start somewhere else.
San Francisco is a little topheavy on edge defenders with Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams and now Romello Height leading the depth chart.
Speaking of depth, though, it's pretty thin. Grabbing some reserve rushers who can rotate in as needed will be pivotal, so taking a flier on Vandy's Miles Capers as a draft-and-stash developmental prospect wouldn't hurt.
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