The San Francisco 49ers' 2025 NFL Draft class focused mostly on the defensive side of the ball, which made plenty of sense in light of coordinator Robert Saleh returning to the ranks.
In many ways, those investments have already started to pay off, particularly with defenders like Alfred Collins and Upton Stout making early impacts.
Entering 2026, though, the Niners may want to infuse some talent into the offense, and wide receiver might be a good place to start. After all, it sure seems as if Brandon Aiyuk's days in the red and gold are soon coming to a close, while Jauan Jennings is a pending free agent. Unless San Francisco is hinging hopes on either Jacob Cowing or Jordan Watkins becoming major X-factors next year, the only notable commodity at the position will be third-year pro Ricky Pearsall.
The 2026 draft is quite a ways away, but the 49ers have some clear needs that'll need support.
So, using Pro Football Focus' trusty mock-draft tool (they have the Niners selecting at No. 24 overall), let's mock out all seven rounds and try aiding head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co.
49ers' 7-round 2026 mock NFL Draft with a focus on WRs
It might be a stretch for USC wide receiver Makai Lemon to fall to No. 24 overall, but he did in PFF's simulation, and outside of the first 10 picks, the draft tends to get pretty fluid anyway.
Regardless, if the 5-foot-11 and 195-pound pass catcher is there when San Francisco picks, it'd be nearly impossible for Shanahan to pass him by.
Known primarily as a slot receiver, Lemon fits the Shanahan prototype who can win after the catch while not being afraid to get down and dirty by blocking for other offensive weapons, which is necessary for 49ers receivers to do to earn playing time.
And don't let Lemon's smallish stature fool you. He's physical, combining top-level route-running prowess with a willingness to match up against big-bodied defensive backs, too.
Doubling down on wide receivers this early seems a bit excessive, but remember, the Niners are poised to be awfully limited at the position entering 2026 and could use a dynamic trio to pair with Pearsall.
Alabama's Germie Bernard makes up for Lemon's shortcomings. While not a speedster like the projected first-round pick, Bernard nevertheless has a better catch radius with his 6-foot-1 frame and is far more of a red-zone target, likely someone who'd make up for a would-be departure of Jennings.
Bernard's blocking needs refinement, and the receiver isn't much of a YAC specialist, but his route-running abilities are top notch.
While continuing to play at a high level, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams is getting up there in age and is very close to the end of his career, meaning San Francisco has to soon begin thinking about his replacement.
Texas' Trevor Goosby, 6-foot-7 and 312 pounds, has the physical tools and traits to become a quality starter at the NFL level, and he even had some notable efforts against the 49ers' top pick from last April's draft, defensive end Mykel Williams. And the Longhorn currently sits at No. 7 on ESPN's Mel Kiper's list of tackles.
Goosby is a bit raw, however, meaning he'll need some refinement and coaching before taking over for the future Hall of Famer on the left side of the offensive line.
Shanahan has long sought a quality No. 2 tight end to pair with George Kittle, and the need for such was magnified early in 2025 when the All-Pro landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, forcing the Niners to deploy the undrafted Jake Tonges in a prominent role.
Tonges handled his duties well, but an upgrade would be most desirable.
Alabama's Josh Cuevas continually sees his draft stock rising, and the transferee out of Cal Poly has both athleticism and versatility as part of his game, not wholly unlike a developmental Kittle-like clone.
Getting into San Francisco's crop of projected compensatory selections, and in light of additions to the defensive line last April, Saleh would still prefer to add some depth up front and could land a promising prospect in Texas A&M's Albert Regis.
Regis has seen his stock drop a bit in contrast to last season, but the 6-foot-2 defender remains an excellent run stopper and has some upside in disrupting pockets from the inside.
While the 49ers O-line might not be as bad as some fans think, it could nevertheless use some upgrades on the interior, particularly at left guard, where Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford don't provide much advantage over 2025's Round 7 draftee, Connor Colby.
The scheme-versatile D.J. Campbell, a run-game mauler, would be an upgrade over all three incumbent options.
It's still too early to tell, but signs point to the Niners' Round 3 draft pickup from last offseason, linebacker Nick Martin, being a disappointment, leaving Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune as the remaining reasonable options to pair with All-Pro Fred Warner next year when he returns from his serious ankle injury.
Ideally, San Francisco would have a younger clone of now-Denver Broncos backer Dre Greenlaw, with whom Warner formed a dynamic duo up until 2025.
LSU's Harold Perkins Jr. is arguably the closest thing to Greenlaw in the 2026 draft class.
More comp picks, and it's about time the 49ers use one on an edge rusher by grabbing UCF's Malachi Lawrence late in Round 5.
Edges do seem like a priority for the Niners, yes. However, one might argue injuries created that perspective after both Williams and Nick Bosa were lost to season-ending ACL tears. They'll both return, rejoining Bryce Huff in a one-two-three tandem. And if San Francisco retains Clelin Ferrell on the cheap, there might not be as big a need here.
Still, a situational pass-rusher like Lawrence can aid with depth, and his 35-inch arm length is hard to ignore.
It's time for Round 7 fliers.
Jake Brendel might not be as horrid as some fans believe him to be, but it's not as if he's an above-average starter either. Given his age, it might be time for the 49ers to at least consider long-term replacements.
Oregon's Iapani Laloulu has the smarts to help overcome some athletic deficiencies, and his pass protection is already at NFL-caliber levels. He just needs some serious work in run support.
Yes, a third wide receiver to round out the Niners' 2026 draft class.
Should Bernard not be a true Jennings replacement, the 6-foot-2 and 200-pound De'Zhaun Stribling out of Ole Miss should be: a big-bodied receiver who excels in run blocking and has a solid catch radius on contested passes, making for a true third-down weapon.
Stribling isn't a burner, and he still can get flustered with big-bodied defensive backs despite his own size. And there are injury concerns, too.
Still, in light of the lack of perimeter weapons at San Francisco's disposal next year, Stribling would be a perfect developmental weapon.