49ers mock draft roundup: Kiper, Brugler, others address San Francisco's long-term future

Leading this Wednesday edition of the San Francisco 49ers mock draft roundup is analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest projection for ESPN. This time, Kiper unveils a two-round mock draft, forecasting the top 64 selections ahead of next week's 2026 NFL Draft.

Kiper once again links the 49ers to the offensive tackle position with the No. 27 overall pick. After previously projecting Blake Miller to San Francisco, the team is now projected to select former Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor as a potential successor to Trent Williams.

"The 49ers are still working toward a resolution with Trent Williams on his contract situation, but this pick works regardless of the outcome," Kiper wrote. "The legendary left tackle is turning 38 during training camp this summer, meaning San Francisco has to think about the future no matter what.

"Iheanachor started 31 games in college, has long 33 7/8-inch arms, and is quick out of his set. But he's also relatively new to football, having never played before 2022. He could use a little time to develop before eventually becoming the guy."

San Francisco's next selection comes at No. 58 overall, where Kiper addresses a pressing need along the defensive front. He projects the 49ers selecting former Illinois defensive end Gabe Jacas to bolster a pass rush that struggled with consistency last season.

"The Niners were down Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams last season, and their respective returns will do wonders to the edge rush," Kiper noted. "But there's no getting around the team's 20 sacks last season, by far the lowest total in the league.

"Jacas had 11 sacks last season; he would, at the very least, provide depth in case starters go down again."

PFSN also connects 49ers to Iheanachor

Reese Decker of Pro Football & Sports Network released a three-round mock draft that also sends Iheanachor to San Francisco in Round 1, citing uncertainty surrounding Williams as a key factor.

"While they find themselves at the back end of the run on tackles, they may still land one of the most physically gifted, yet raw, prospects in the class," Decker wrote.

"Max Iheanachor is a big-bodied lineman with agile feet and strong hands. He excels as a run blocker, moves well to the second level, and plays with a nasty temperament that John Lynch will appreciate. He's a work in progress, but the juice may be worth the squeeze considering positional value."

Decker follows that selection by projecting former Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard to the 49ers in the second round.

Another projection favors Iheanachor

Tyler Forness of A to Z Sports also has the 49ers selecting Iheanachor at No. 27 in his latest first-round mock draft.

"The future of Trent Williams is in doubt, and Colton McKivitz is replacement level," Forness wrote. "Taking a high-upside player who can be an elite player in Kyle Shanahan's scheme, predicated on movement, is a great use of 27th overall."

Brugler's 7-round mock draft offers different OT option

In his latest seven-round mock draft, The Athletic's Dane Brugler also has the 49ers addressing offensive tackle—but with a different prospect. He projects San Francisco selecting former Utah tackle Caleb Lomu at No. 27.

"I don't think the 49ers are going into draft night stressing that they must find a long-term solution at left tackle," Brugler wrote. "But if the right player falls in their laps, it would make sense for them to go that direction — and Lomu could be that player. He is a work in progress (in several areas), but his athletic footwork and body control form a great foundation."

Brugler also has the 49ers selecting former Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in Round 2.

San Francisco holds four fourth-round picks. Brugler projects the following selections in those spots:

• Round 4, pick 127: CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M
• Round 4, pick 133: G Beau Stephens, Iowa
• Round 4, pick 138: Edge George Gumbs Jr., Florida
• Round 4, pick 139: TE Jack Endries, Texas

One more for Caleb Lomu

Mike Band, a member of NFL Media's Next Gen Stats and research team, also has the 49ers selecting Lomu in the first round of his second mock draft for NFL.com.

"San Francisco could go edge here, but this feels like a wise way to stay ahead of a problem that could become urgent fast," Band wrote. "Trent Williams turns 38 in July, and the 49ers still do not have an obvious long-term succession plan behind him. Lomu gives Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch a high-upside left tackle to develop on a win-now timeline, offering the movement skills to fit their run game and enough pass-pro upside to eventually protect Brock Purdy's blind side."

Kadyn Proctor enters the mix

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News also has the 49ers addressing offensive tackle in his three-round mock draft, projecting former Alabama's Kadyn Proctor to fall to San Francisco at No. 27.

"The 49ers have become more enamored with the massive athlete as they prepare to soon replace Trent Williams at left tackle," Iyer wrote. "Proctor's appeal is how nimble he is for that size and how he can develop consistent technique and execution in their blocking system."

In Round 2, Iyer has the 49ers selecting former Washington running back Jonah Coleman, citing his quick running style as an ideal complement in the backfield.

While Iyer initially lists San Francisco with the No. 92 overall pick, that selection was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. The mistake results in the 49ers selecting former Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton.

"The 49ers have liked his natural run-stopping abilities outside to go with a developing pass rush," Iyer wrote.

49ers go edge rusher in Round 1

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports takes a different approach in his fifth mock draft, projecting the 49ers to address the defensive line early by selecting former Missouri defensive end Zion Young at No. 27.

"Young is somebody to dream on, and he strikes me as the type of player the 49ers tend to target at the position," Fornelli wrote.

Young recorded 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 16.5 tackles for loss last season, along with two forced fumbles and two passes defensed. However, teams may evaluate off-field concerns following a December arrest on suspicion of DWI.

A different mock draft approach

Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report offered a different approach to a mock draft, projecting both what teams will do and what they should do.

Gagnon predicts the 49ers will select former Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, citing ongoing concerns along the offensive line.

"They've been surprisingly quiet about addressing the offensive line, even though Trent Williams is nearing the end of his career and the interior is far from a strength," Gagnon wrote. "Proctor can launch his career inside and eventually become a candidate to start at tackle."

However, Gagnon suggests San Francisco should instead select former Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

"I actually really like the Proctor pick, and I believe they'll steer clear of a receiver (which is an overrated need)," Gagnon explained. "But I still believe they'd be better off adding the best defensive player available to mix it up within a unit that has trouble staying healthy. That's McNeil-Warren, who would have a chance to start from the get-go."