49ers mock draft roundup: Final Round 1 projections and surprise picks

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off later today, making this the final wave of projections for the San Francisco 49ers.

We'll start with ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller, who has the 49ers addressing the secondary. He projects San Francisco selecting former Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the first round.

It's an intriguing pick, as most mock drafts have linked the 49ers to offensive linemen, defensive linemen, or wide receivers at No. 27.

"The 49ers seemed to check left tackle off the list by extending Trent Williams through 2027," Miller wrote. "There was a lot of movement for [Utah OT Caleb] Lomu here -- he could still be in play if he makes it to this point -- but it's sounding more like a best-player-available approach. Sources around the league considered San Francisco a potential edge rusher team in Round 1, considering its league-worst 20 sacks, but the edge board has been wiped out.

"So after seeing the impact Nick Emmanwori had for division-rival Seattle, the 49ers would get their own version in McNeil-Warren, who could come off the board in the teens."

Meanwhile, ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler's intel suggests the 49ers may go in another direction.

"Expect the 49ers to address positions where they are older," Fowler wrote. "That includes offensive tackle and wide receiver, a position on which they did a lot of late homework. The Williams extension alleviates the immediate OT need, but this way they can draft and develop a successor."

49ers target wide receiver in Round 1

NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his fourth and final mock draft and has the 49ers further strengthening their receiving corps at No. 27.

Jeremiah envisions San Francisco selecting former Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston in the first round.

"I could see the Niners looking for D-line help here, coming off a year when they were plagued by injuries on the defensive front," Jeremiah wrote. "In this scenario, though, they add more firepower for Brock Purdy. Boston comes highly recommended out of Washington's program."

Another wide receiver option at No. 27

NFL analyst Brett Kollmann used Pro Football & Sports Network's mock draft simulator to project the top 32 selections, and also has the 49ers going with a pass-catching weapon for Purdy to target. However, he goes with former Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion.

"The Trent Williams extension threw a wrench in my mock draft in the last 48 hours, so I kind of zeroed in at wide receiver here," Kollmann wrote. "I tried to channel my inner Kyle Shanahan and figure out who is the most Shanahan-y type of receiver, and that is KC Concepcion.

"Great separator and special teams value, and he's going to be the WR4 as a rookie, but he's going to be my top return man as a rookie. And if someone goes down, if somebody gets a little bit too close to the power station, he can pop in and start as a rookie. And they can also have some package stuff for him."

Two more votes for KC Concepcion

Kollmann isn't alone. Two other experts have Concepcion landing with the 49ers.
Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times has the Texas A&M product headed to the Bay Area in his latest first-round mock.

"This receiver and return specialist fits the mold for Kyle Shanahan," Farmer wrote. "A crisp route runner with speed to get deep."

Additionally, in his final mock draft, Dan Parr of NFL.com sends Concepcion to San Francisco at No. 27.

"Concepcion can compete for reps in the slot against Christian Kirk and provide explosiveness on special teams in Year 1," Parr wrote.

How about Omar Cooper Jr.?

While we're looking at projections that have the 49ers selecting a wideout in the first round, let's look at the one from the Bleacher Report scouting department. It has San Francisco selecting former Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. at No. 27.

"Omar Cooper Jr.'s skill set practically screams that he is a perfect fit for the San Francisco 49ers," Brent Sobleski wrote. "Yes, the Niners already brought in veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, as well as expect more from Ricky Pearsall in Year 3. The group currently lacks a talent like Cooper, who essentially turns into a running back after he catches the ball."

Analyst Dame Parson wrote:

"Cooper is a great run-after-catch receiver, with top-end speed and elite body control at the catch-point. He would be an ideal addition for Kyle Shanahan's offense and quarterback Brock Purdy as part of the 49ers' vaunted offensive scheme. Cooper can win from the slot and the outside. In this system, he should quickly become Purdy's favorite target."

Two-round mock adds edge rusher, receiver

FOX Sports analyst Rob Rang released a two-round mock draft, projecting the 49ers will address both sides of the ball early.

In Round 1, Rang has the team adding some pass-rush depth with the selection of former UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.

"A receiver or offensive lineman would make a lot of sense here for the 49ers, but there is a fun second tier of pass-rushers that is going to spark quite a position run over the next 40 picks or so," Rang wrote.

"Lawrence lacks ideal flexibility to dip around the edge, but he's got long arms, initial burst, and rare closing speed — a recipe for immediate success given the talent already in San Francisco."

In Round 2, Rang sends former Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell to the 49ers with the No. 58 overall pick.

"With both Mike Evans and Christian Kirk signed to one-year deals, adding another run-after-the-catch monster like Bell would add some much-needed juice and depth to San Francisco's receiving corps," Rang wrote.

Elite offensive talent falls to 49ers

In his final mock draft for CBS Sports, Ryan Wilson has an impressive offensive playmaker falling to the 49ers at No. 27. He has the team selecting former Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. However, Wilson acknowledges that the star prospect could come off the board much earlier.

"The 49ers could trade out of this pick, but if Sadiq falls into their laps, he'd be hard to pass up," Wilson wrote. "The Oregon TE could go 10 picks higher than this, but the way the board fell, he gets pushed to the bottom of Round 1."

7-round mock draft lands successor for Trent Williams

The 49ers may have signed Trent Williams to a two-year extension, but the star left tackle will turn 38 in July. Ian Cummings of Pro Football & Sports Network released a seven-round mock draft in which San Francisco selects former Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu at No. 27.

"The San Francisco 49ers reached a resolution with Trent Williams, but it's still prudent to have a succession plan given Williams' age as the ultimate variable," Cummings wrote. "Caleb Lomu can sit and add mass, and his athleticism, flexibility, and keen sense of timing are reminiscent of Jake Matthews."

In Round 2, Cummings has former Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard headed to the 49ers with the No. 58 overall pick.

He wrote: "The 49ers added Mike Evans, but Germie Bernard profiles well in Kyle Shanahan's scheme as a strong WR2/3 capable of separating, generating RAC, and doing dirty work."

Cummings' remaining 49ers picks:

• Round 4, pick 127: C Parker Brailsford, Alabama
• Round 4, pick 133: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
• Round 4, pick 138: Edge Keyron Crawford, Auburn
• Round 4, pick 139: DL Uar Bernard, Nigeria (International Player Pathway)

Another Lomu-to-49ers prediction

In his final mock draft for CBS Sports, Pete Prisco also has San Francisco selecting Lomu in the first round.

"He would be the replacement when Trent Williams walks away," Prisco wrote. "He needs to get stronger, so a year or two as a backup would work."

A different choice for offensive tackle

In his final mock draft for USA Today, Jacob Camenker has the 49ers going with a different option at offensive tackle, sending Arizona State standout Max Iheanachor to the team at No. 27.

"The 49ers signed Trent Williams to an extension, but they have to think about soon finding an heir apparent for the 37-year-old tackle," Jacob Camenker wrote. "Iheanachor has only played five seasons of organized football, but his athletic potential and demeanor have earned him plenty of fans among NFL front offices ahead of the draft."