The NFL Draft is fast approaching, so Niner Noise takes a look at who the San Francisco 49ers are being predicted to pick by the analysts and draft buffs at their No. 27 selection.
With the NFL Draft under a month away, one of the pitfalls is who the San Francisco 49ers are going to take so late at No, 27 overall.
Could it be a first-round prospect who's fallen a bit in the draft, or could the Niners pick a surprise player who was on the radar of no analyst or fan?
Read More: Jed York says the quiet part out loud about 49ers and the 2026 NFL Draft
We're taking a look at who the analysts at NFL.com and ESPN think the 49ers should pick, as well as when the mock draft was posted alongside any personal thoughts:
Chad Reuter, NFL.com, posted April 3: Max Iheanachor, Offensive Tackle, Arizona State
Reuter says: "Even if the 49ers and Trent Williams come to an agreement on a contract restructure for 2026, the veteran left tackle will be 38 when the season starts. Iheanachor played on the right side at Arizona State but lined up on both sides at East Los Angeles College. He possesses the athleticism to be an excellent pass protector on either end of San Francisco's O-line."
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com, posted March 31: KC Concepcion, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M
Zierlein says: "Mike Evans is aging, and Christian Kirk has dealt with injuries over the last few seasons, so the addition of those players shouldn't keep San Francisco from taking a look at one of the premier separators in this draft."
Nick Shook, NFL.com, posted April 2: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Shooks says: "If the 49ers are planning for the future, they’ll target an offensive tackle. After last year’s injury-riddled experience, however, they decide to seek depth on the defensive side, leading GM John Lynch to add another edge rusher to a group headlined by Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams. If this defense is going to climb out of the cellar in the sacks department, San Francisco will need an army of quarterback hunters."
Mike Band, NFL.com, posted March 27: Caleb Lomu, Offensive Tackle, Utah
Band says: "Offensive line stands out as one of San Francisco's clearest needs after the free agency frenzy, especially with no clear long-term succession plan in place behind Trent Williams, who turns 38 in July and is currently in something of a contact standoff. Lomu would give Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch a high-upside tackle to develop behind the All-Pro left tackle while also reinforcing a front that looks thinner than it has in years."
Charles Davis, NFL.com, posted March 26: Blake Miller, Offensive Tackle, Clemson
Davis says: "Miller set the school record for career snaps at Clemson, and he was excellent against Penn State in the Tigers’ bowl game last season."
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com, posted March 24: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Brooks says: "Bryce Huff's abrupt retirement and San Francisco's need for depth on the edges make Howell a potential fit here. The Texas A&M standout lacks ideal arm length, but his nonstop motor and natural pass-rushing skills would energize a unit that faces quality quarterbacks in the divisional race."
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com, posted March 17: Kenyon Sadiq, Tight End, Oregon
Jeremiah says: "This is the second time I've mocked Sadiq to the 49ers this year. He would be an amazing new toy for Kyle Shanahan."
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com, posted March 18: Blake Miller, Offensive Tackle, Clemson
Kiper Jr. says: "You probably see an offensive tackle to San Francisco and think "Trent Williams heir apparent." But Miller actually played 97% of his college snaps on the right side. Perhaps he'd transition to left tackle if the Niners can't figure out Williams' contract situation, but I like Miller as an upgrade over Colton McKivitz on the right side regardless of what happens there. The 6-7, 317-pound Miller would bring consistency and reliability to this O-line." (San Francisco also signed Vederian Lowe as some insurance at left tackle)"
Field Yates, ESPN.com, posted March 24: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Yates says: "The Niners need to work on their edge group, though a big boost will come from the returns of Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams from injury. Faulk is an intriguing prospect whose tape was better in 2024 than 2025 (7.0 sacks compared with 2.0, respectively). But his skill set is too good to ignore: He's 6-6, 276 pounds with positional versatility and stout run defense. A defensive line coach will see the potential to develop Faulk into a much more consistent rusher, as he won't turn 21 until September."
Matt Miller, ESPN.com, posted March 30: Caleb Lomu, Offensive Tackle, Utah
Miller says: "I feel like I predict that the 49ers will draft their offensive tackle of the future every year, yet they never do. Considering that All-Pro Trent Williams will be 38 and is in the midst of a contract impasse, this would be a good time for San Francisco to finally make that pick. Lomu started at left tackle during the past two seasons, allowing only three sacks (all in 2024). He plays with the agility and balance needed for the 49ers' offensive scheme."
Jordan Reid, ESPN.com, posted March 6: KC Concepcion, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M
Reid says: "The 49ers are at a crossroads at receiver. Their leading pass catcher at the position (Jauan Jennings) is set to be a free agent, veteran Brandon Aiyuk seems to be moving on, and 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall is still looking for his footing in the offense. Concepcion is an explosive playmaker who has many traits that translate to success in coach Kyle Shanahan's scheme. Concepcion kicks it into gear on route stems and racks up plenty of big plays as a pass catcher and a return specialist."
Analyzing the 49ers' results
Final count
Two times
KC Concepcion, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M
Caleb Lomu, Offensive Tackle, Utah
Blake Miller, Offensive Tackle, Clemson
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
One time
Max Iheanachor, Offensive Tackle, Arizona State
Kenyon Sadiq, Tight End, Oregon
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Thoughts
The immediate thing that stands out is there's no immediate favorite among the 11 mock drafts that were looked at, but positionally they were all offensive tackles, edge rushers and offensive position players. This seems to reflect three of the four needs for the Niners, though it is a little surprising to see nobody finds the secondary as a viable selection as well.
With the analysts unable to come to any sort of concensus thus far, it'll be interesting to see if anything resembling a favorite emerges as we get closer to draft day.