Despite focusing a ton of attention on the defensive side of the ball in the 2025 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers nevertheless have to revamp the defense yet again entering 2026.
Specifically, more pass-rushing help is needed after the Niners registered a league-low 20 sacks last season. And it'd be prudent for general manager John Lynch to reinforce the secondary, too, specifically at safety where there are abundant questions.
And that's precisely how FanSided's latest four-round mock draft for this upcoming April has San Francisco acting.
Although there are certainly some surprise picks and strategies at play.
49ers take unusual strategy in FanSided's recent 4-round mock draft
Many a 49ers mock as of late has Lynch and Co. targeting wide receivers early, but it wouldn't be a shock to see the Niners' other biggest need, the pass rush, being a top priority.
That's what FanSided's Lou Scataglia suggests happens in Round 1 with San Francisco grabbing Clemson edge T.J. Parker.
OK, that makes sense. And while Parker is a fringe first- or second-round prospect, having him on a potential fifth-year option, shoud he pan out, is possibly a wise strategy.
Things get interesting in Round 2, though, with the 49ers mocked to select linebacker Jacob Rodriguez out of Texas Tech:
"Jacob Rodriguez had himself one heck of an NFL Combine performance, and it would not shock if me if he ended up going a lot higher than this. Rodriguez is a bit undersized, but he makes up for it with uncanny athleticism at the position.
"The 49ers need to stack as much defensive talent as possible this offseason, but this team did somehow manage to win 12 games in 2025, so the infrastructure is there."
Getting a linebacker in Round 2 is a bit of an odd choice, given All-Pro Fred Warner is poised to return from last year's ankle injury. And while the options behind him aren't necessarily other-wordly, the Niners at least have depth (if healthy) with Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune and (hopefully) a resilient Nick Martin.
Alas, though, Rodriguez did perform well at the combine, so there's that to mention.
Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson is the pick late in Round 3, which makes a bit more sense, although it's strange to see San Francisco pass up on that bigger need for a linebacker the round previously.
In Round 4, at Nos. 127 and 133 overall, the 49ers return to focusing on the trenches by grabbing Alabama guard Jaeden Roberts and Michigan edge rusher Jaishawn Barham, respectively, which helps return the priority list back to a sense of normality.
That Round 2 selection, though...