There's a bit of an ominous feeling around the San Francisco 49ers at the moment. While the team is still loaded with talent, it's quietly approaching the end of its current era. Stars like Trent Williams are nearing the end of their careers. George Kittle is already well into his thirties and recovering from an injury. The faces of the franchise are aging. It's time to inject some youth into this thing.
That's why the 2026 NFL Draft is so important for general manager John Lynch. Nail these picks, and he can orchestrate a seamless transition between eras. Miss the mark, and the franchise could be headed for some dark days.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler dropped a seven-round mock draft that marries San Francisco's present with its future beautifully. With a haul like this, the Niners' run of success would be bound to keep moving forward.
49ers land ideal haul in Dane Brugler's 7-round 2026 mock draft
Brugler started the 49ers off with Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu in the first round. He may not be an immediate starter, but the 21-year-old would be a natural successor for Williams. Brugler said, "I don’t think the 49ers are going into draft night stressing that they must find a long-term solution at left tackle. But if the right player falls in their laps, it would make sense for them to go that direction — and Lomu could be that player. He is a work in progress (in several areas), but his athletic footwork and body control form a great foundation."
In the second round, Brugler had San Francisco taking Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard. The reliable wideout would give an immediate boost to Kyle Shanahan's offense and complete the overhaul of the receiver room. When Mike Evans and Christian Kirk age out, Bernard would form a solid duo with Ricky Pearsall.
The 49ers don't have a third-round selection, but Brugler loaded them up in the fourth round with Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III, Iowa guard Beau Stephens, Florida edge rusher George Gumbs Jr., and Texas tight end Jack Endries.
The draft haul as a whole finds the narrow path between addressing current needs and planning for the future. There may not be many All-Pro caliber players in this group, but the 49ers could still find multiple quality starters. That may just be enough to push the current roster over the top without sacrificing the next era.
Add us as a preferred source on Google