The San Francisco 49ers are one of the most interesting teams to assess entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Picking at 27th overall, the 49ers have several needs that John Lynch could address on Day 1, but the Niners should be looking for a player who Kyle Shanahan can instantly trust with a vital role.
The 49ers have been most frequently linked to two of the strongest position classes in this draft: offensive tackle and wide receiver, but interior OL, edge rusher, and secondary have popped up periodically, so this pick probably boils down to how the board shakes out once they're on the clock.
With just a few days to spare until the draft kicks off in Pittsburgh, we are in peak smokescreen season. It can be incredibly difficult to decipher what to believe and what not to, especially with new report after new report coming out each day. But never fear, we here at FanSided are here to help.
Where do these three potential 49ers' draftees fall on the NFL Draft Smoke Meter?
For that reason, we here are introducing the Smoke Meter, which should help fans navigate the gaggle of NFL Draft information set to release over the next couple of days, while also making sense of what to believe and what is a carefully-designed smokescreen set up by the national media.
Let's go over the criteria: 1 is the lowest rating on the Smoke Meter (there's nothing there) while 10 has the highest chance of happening. So in regards to these three prospects, here's where they fall on the Smoke Meter.
Smoke Meter Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
1: Just a spark | Not likely at all, a mere thought |
2: A flicker | Curiosity peaked, a "long shot" |
3: Small ember | Fits a need, but not a priority player |
4: Steady burn | Fits need, could see a path of acquisition |
5: Turning up the heat | Quality prospect, realistic choice |
6: Stove's on High | Quality prospect, one of priority choices |
7: Roasting temperature | Quality prospect, could be picked if there |
8:Very Hot | Quality prospect, highly sought after |
9: Scalding | Premium talent. team's top-3 option |
10: Full Blaze | Premium talent, team's dream draft target |
Texas A&M OG Chase Bisontis
Chase Bisontis has been floated as a viable Round 1 option for the 49ers recently, as he would be a plug-and-play starter from Day 1 to both fill a need and fit Kyle Shanahan typically looks for on the offensive line. So even though it's not the most popular outcome, this has a fair shot of coming to life.
Bisontis is looked at as a late-Round 1, early-Round 2 prospect, so if someone like Caleb Lomu or one of the top receivers aren't there, the 21-year-old is a viable pivot. It would be more of a surprise pick, but that's never stopped Lynch and Shanahan before, especially since there's no way he lasts to 58.
Smoke Meter Rating: 5
Missouri EDGE Zion Young
Now we're getting to a more dicey prospect. Missouri's Zion Young is a good run defender, has great size, and plenty of upside for a late Round 1 guy, but he also comes with red flags. He comes with some recent legal issues that should alter his draft stock, but the talent and traits are undeniable.
However, given what Raheem Morris looks for in an edge prospect (see James Pearce Jr.) and the immediate impact the 22-year-old could have as an Arik Armstead-type along this San Francisco defensive line, I wouldn't put it past the front office to draft him given the need and potential upside.
Smoke Meter Rating: 4
Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr.
You should all know how I feel about Omar Cooper Jr. by now. I understand all the love for KC Concepcion, but I think of the two, Cooper is more likely to be available at 27, and that's a blessing in disguise for the Niners, who could see him as a perfect Mike Evans complement and long-term WR1 as an elite fit in this system.
Cooper has drawn comparisons to two successful WR Lynch has drafted in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, but given his YAC ability, I would say he projects better to fill that Deebo role as the new power-slot receiver in a San Francisco offense looking to replace Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings.
He's far from the flashiest option, but he'd be one of the best options.
Smoke Meter Rating: 9
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