Boasting only six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including just two in the top 100, it makes sense why the San Francisco 49ers have been linked to the idea of trading out of Round 1 where they hold the No. 27 overall pick.
Heck, even general manager John Lynch hinted as much by saying the crop of Round 1-graded talent wasn't as thick this year as in years prior, suggesting a trade-down could be in the works.
With the first round well underway on Thursday night, another team's pick just gave Lynch and Co. sufficient reason to move out of the round entirely in order to stockpile more draft capital.
Steelers' Round 1 draft selection of Max Iheanachor should prompt 49ers to trade down
Selecting at No. 21 overall, the Pittsburgh Steelers ended up grabbing offensive tackle Max Iheanachor out of Arizona State, a prospect whom many considered a worthy target for Lynch and the Niners.
Iheanachor was frequently mocked to the Niners in an effort to find both an immediate upgrade over right tackle Colton McKivitz and a long-term successor to aging left tackle Trent Williams
Granted, San Francisco had to be fully aware its top pick in the draft was going to be influenced by 26 previous selections being completely out of its control, and things could go in one of several different ways long before the 49ers' number was called for the first time.
But, with Iheanachor no longer available to select, the Niners now have every reason to trade down if they can.
Read more: 2026 NFL Draft tracker: Full list of picks, trades, analysis and more
Given the number of remaining prospects available whom San Francisco likely preferred with its top pick, trying to move down into the early stages of Round 2 while stockpiling additional draft capital seems like the wisest move Lynch and the front office could make at this point.
Now, the only remaining challenge is to find a willing partner wanting to move back up to help close out Round 1.
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