At a quick glance, it'd seem as if the San Francisco 49ers would use their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, No. 27 overall, on either a wide receiver or a pass-rusher; two key areas of need that have notable question marks heading deeper into the offseason.
But that's not the direction ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. is going for the Niners in his latest mock draft on the eve of the NFL Scouting Combine.
Instead, Kiper focused on a less-discussed but as-important need San Francisco will soon have: finding a successor to future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams, and that might be the smart approach in light of the lineman's latest report that could suggest an offseason departure.
In his mock, Kiper grants the 49ers Alabama left tackle Kadyn Proctor, a 6-foot-7 and 366-pound mauler who's still a bit on the raw side at 20 years old:
"Proctor's tape is all over the place. The highs are really, really good. The lows raise a lot of questions. But in the right situation, he could become a standout tackle in the NFL. And there might not be a better situation than learning behind one of the best to ever do it in San Francisco. Trent Williams will be 38 by Week 1, and he's entering the final year of his contract. So, Proctor could develop in Year 1 while kicking inside to guard and/or playing a swing tackle role before perhaps taking over for Williams in 2027. He has 40 career starts -- all at left tackle -- and is reliable in pass protection. This would be an upside pick for GM John Lynch."
To Kiper's point, it's been a blessing for the Niners to have Williams anchor the left side of the O-line year after year even though there have been shortcomings and needs at other spots, including now at left guard with Spencer Burford hitting free agency and likely not returning.
So, giving Proctor a chance to seize the starting left guard spot makes some sense. And, should the rookie develop into a quality starter, San Francisco would have Williams' replacement under contract for at least four years, potentially five, should it exercise a fifth-year option.
Of course, this would mean the 49ers bypass those two pressing needs at wide receiver and in the pass-rush department.
But, building via the trenches is never a bad strategy even if it's not overly flashy.