One can argue the San Francisco 49ers' two biggest needs in the 2026 NFL Draft are for an edge rusher and an offensive lineman, followed not too distantly by a wide receiver and a safety.
And yet the Niners have next to zero clue who'll be readily available when their number is called in Round 1.
Picking at No. 27 overall, general manager John Lynch's options are going to be influenced by the fact 26 other selections will take place ahead of time. This isn't anything out of the ordinary, of course. Every draft has its elements of unpredictability, and 2026 will be no different.
But, for a San Francisco squad keen on improving its pass rush while hoping for a long-term succession plan for Trent Williams at left tackle, there might be a lot of hoping and praying over the bulk of Round 1.
49ers are rooting for several runs on non-needed positions in NFL Draft
The 49ers would've preferred this year's draft to be full of prospective quarterbacks, but aside from Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Alabama's Ty Simpson, there aren't options for an early run on QBs that'd otherwise push other prospects down the board.
Adding to the problem is the Niners have only six picks, and four of those take place in Round 4, leaving just two in the top 100.
That pretty much negates any notion of a trade-up.
However, if there's a run on interior defensive linemen, defensive backs or even wide receivers in a deep WR class with plenty of likable day-two options, that'd be beneficial to Lynch and Co. Such runs might push prospects like Texas A&M edge Cashius Howell, Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu or Missouri edge Zion Young down toward being available with the 27th pick.
Heck, it might simply dictate to Lynch and his staff to simply grab the best player available within those four positions of need and worry about remaining needs later.
Considering the likely chaos that'll take place over the first 26 picks, such a strategy will probably suit San Francisco the best.