The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2026 NFL Draft in an incredibly interesting position. With the 27th pick, they could go a multitude of different directions. Offensive tackle, edge rusher, wide receiver or even a defensive back, John Lynch has an opportunity to fill one of the biggest needs on the roster.
The thing is that not by filling their need off the edge, the Niners can also strip one of their biggest division rivals of their dream prospect. With San Francisco picking five spots before the Seattle Seahawks, they can play saboteur, especially if the 49ers draft one young pass-rusher in particular.
The man in question is Missouri's Zion Young, whose a viable option for the Niners at No. 27. With Keldric Faulk unlikely to be on the board this late in the first round, Young is a worthy pivot for a team looking at edge help beyond two players recovering from injury in Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams.
49ers can kill 2 birds with 1 stone if they draft Zion Young
Young would be a perfect fit in Raheem Morris' system, as he profiles very similar to pass-rushers Morris has drafted in the past, including James Pearce Jr. in Atlanta last offseason. Beyond the physical similarities, Young and Pearce have a lot in common, especially given the red flags they both had.
The Seahawks have reportedly held multiple meetings with Young and are expected to seriously consider him if available with the 32nd pick. He would serve as a replacement for Boye Mafe in free agency and could also serve as a long-term successor to DeMarcus Lawrence and Leonard Williams.
It was bad enough watching Seattle beat the Niners in the playoffs, but them winning the Super Bowl salted the wound. Their roster (and defense) are already talented enough, so if they have a way to ensure that a potential cornerstone for Mike Macdonald's defense lands elsewhere, that's a bonus.
The 49ers defense was most dominant when they had the presence of someone like Arik Armstead, so while defensive line already has three building blocks in Bosa, Williams, and Osa Odighizuwa, so with how dominant Young is as a run defender, it makes him a guy capable of filling that role for them.
Despite the 22-year-old's legal issues, there's no doubt in my mind that he's a first-round talent who would make an instant impact for this defense as the new Armstead. He logged 6.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss in his senior year, and at 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds, can be a chess piece for Morris.
The Seahawks are always a candidate to trade out of the first round, and can also look at cornerback at 32, but Young is the only player the division rivals are both rumored to be linked to.
So if their pursuit of the division crown is two-fold, drafting Young helps the Niners and hurts the Seahawks.