49ers draft strategy: What if someone unexpected falls?

On Saturday, Marc Adams wrote an article on San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch's draft philosophy. Adams noted several things I did in February and predicts Lynch will follow his pattern of taking a defensive lineman and a wide receiver.

I don't disagree, but this year the variables are a little different.

Now under two weeks away from the 2026 draft, the majority of the mock drafts have the 49ers taking a player at one of three positions: offensive tackle, edge rusher, and wide receiver.

Several solid candidates in each group might well be available, but drafting in the 27th slot, the Niners might not be in a position to take one of the top ones. For instance, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor from Alabama might fill not only the current left guard problem but also be the future replacement for tackle Trent Williams. But he is often predicted to go earlier.

Likewise, Caleb Lomu from Utah might be a good fit.

But others who might be available—Clemson's Blake Miller and Arizona State's Max Iheanachor, for instance—could be reaches.

The edge rushers who are projected to still be on the board are not that inspiring. Should general manager John Lynch draft Clemson's T.J. Parker or Auburn's Keldric Faulk because they were good in 2024 and have skill sets that might be coached? That kind of approach was on display several years ago when Lynch took defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

As many as six wide receivers are projected to be taken before San Francisco is on the clock. It might be better to wait until the second round.

But what if someone at another position falls? What if a player, such as Proctor, is available, but someone at another position, someone very good but expected to be long gone, is there for the taking?

Here are a few of those.

Tight End Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

I have seen one mock draft in which Kenyon Sadiq falls, and the Niners snap him up. Even if Lomu, Proctor, and a few of those receivers are still available, Sadiq is too talented to pass on. Yes, George Kittle is the best all-around tight end in football, and Jake Tonges is a solid backup, but Sadiq is special and has the speed (a 4.39 40!) and skills to be a difference maker. He would start right away with Kittle gone for part of the season, and when George returns, they would form a duo Kyle Shanahan could use in all sorts of creative ways.

Tight end might not be the team's most glaring need, but drafting Sadiq over some who are at those need positions would be a logical move. And the Niners would be set at that position for another decade.

Safety Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Dillon Thieneman is usually mocked in the mid-teens, but if the next safety listed, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, goes ahead of him (and NFL.com ranks him slightly above Thieneman), the Niners might rush to turn in his card. Thieneman has exceptional speed (4.35) and intercepted eight passes in his college career.

The 49ers currently have Malik Mustafa and Ji'Ayir Brown manning the back end, but their play has been erratic. So many teams have seen the overall play of the defense jump when a good safety joined the team. John Lynch knows how impactful a top safety can be. Just look at what happened when Talanoa Hufanga left in free agency.

Cornerback Avieon Terrell, Clemson

Surely, corner is on Lynch's wish list, but it is typically predicted as a position he will address in a later round. Avieon Terrell is the number three corner on most lists and would likely unseat the Niners' Renardo Green at the corner spot opposite Deommodore Lenoir.

As with safety, this would not appear to be as great a need as the other positions, but the key is choosing the player who will make the biggest difference. A starting corner would be preferable to an average wide receiver.

The trade-up window

John Lynch has not been averse to trading up to get a player he covets. He did it in his first draft, in 2017, to get Reuben Foster, and again in 2020 (Brandon Aiyuk). How far would Lynch be willing to climb to secure the player he wants? Sadiq might be one of those players. Perhaps Thieneman. And there might be someone at one of those need positions whom Lynch did not foresee falling into range. Miami's edge rusher Akheem Mesidor or Indiana receiver Omar Cooper, for instance.

Since the 49ers currently have only six picks, my preference would be to trade back, but I would certainly understand an aggressive move up and might well jump for joy.

We are days away from Roger Goodell announcing the opening of the 2026 draft, but for me, the clock is already ticking.