49ers mock draft roundup: Last-minute projections—and a QB trade

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tomorrow, and the San Francisco 49ers currently hold the No. 27 overall pick. Whether they remain at that spot is uncertain, but the latest wave of mock drafts offers insight into what the team might do if it stays put.

Let's run through the latest "expert" projections.

Zierlein links 49ers to a high-upside wide receiver

San Francisco's wide receiver room has undergone a significant overhaul this offseason. Key contributors Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are gone, replaced by veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.

In his fourth and final mock draft for NFL.com, Lance Zierlein projects the 49ers will continue adding to the group by selecting former Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

"San Francisco selects a receiver with excellent run-after-catch ability and above-average vertical speed," Zierlein wrote.

Schrager projects offensive line help for 49ers

ESPN's Peter Schrager projected the first 32 selections in the draft and has the 49ers planning for the future at offensive tackle with recently-extended Trent Williams approaching age 38. He sends former Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu to San Francisco at No. 27.

"The 49ers got the Trent Williams contract situation figured out, but he's still going to be 38 years old when the season begins," Schrager wrote. "Strengthening the offensive line in both the long and short term has to be a priority.

"Lomu didn't get the attention that [OT Spencer] Fano did at Utah, but he played left tackle for the Utes at a high level over 24 career starts."

Another vote for Caleb Lomu

In his mock draft for CBS Sports, Josh Edwards also links Lomu to the 49ers in the first round.

"I have gone back and forth between offensive line and edge rusher with most of the wide receivers off the board," Edwards wrote. "Initially, UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence was in this spot, but Lomu continues to come up in connection with San Francisco. It makes sense for the 49ers to have an off-ramp at either offensive tackle spot in the next few years."

Maiocco predicts all six 49ers selections

NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco released a first-round mock draft on Tuesday, projecting San Francisco will select former UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at No. 27. A day later, he expanded that projection to include all six of the 49ers' picks, keeping Lawrence as the team's top selection.

Maiocco's full 49ers mock draft:

• Round 1, pick 27: DE Malachi Lawrence, UCF
• Round 2, pick 58: G Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
• Round 4, pick 127: S VJ Payne, Kansas State
• Round 4, pick 133: DT Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
• Round 4, pick 138: WR Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech
• Round 4, pick 139: CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin

49ers load up on offense in first two rounds—and a QB trade

Cameron Sheath of Pro Football & Sports Network has the 49ers doubling down on offensive playmakers in his three-round mock draft.

In Round 1, Sheath projects former Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq falling to San Francisco.

"Kenyon Sadiq is going higher than this in most mocks, but to me, his college production is dwarfed by that of players taken in the top 20 picks in recent years," Sheath wrote. "That being said, he still offers a freakish physical tool set which, in the right hands, could be a huge weapon for an NFL offense.

"And when it comes to the 'right hands,' it doesn't get much better than Kyle Shanahan. The San Francisco 49ers have one of the league's best tight ends in George Kittle, but he is 32 years old and tore his Achilles tendon in January. Sadiq is still raw in many ways, but is a tantalizing project for Shanahan and lands in the perfect environment to grow."

In Round 2, Sheath sends former Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell to the 49ers.

"After taking the explosive Sadiq in Round 1, the 49ers take a similar approach with Louisville receiver Chris Bell," Sheath wrote. "Bell is a big-bodied receiver, but is more of a blistering speed threat than a sideline bully," Sheath wrote. "Currently recovering from an ACL tear, Bell will require some patience, but as with Sadiq, the 49ers have other playmakers to call upon in the meantime."

Although the 49ers do not currently own a third-round pick, Sheath projects a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers—sending pick No. 121 and quarterback Mac Jones for the No. 85 overall selection. With that pick, San Francisco selects former Arizona safety Genesis Smith.

However, such a move appears unlikely. The 49ers have shown little to no interest in moving Brock Purdy's backup.

Defensive line help on the horizon?

Garrett Podell of CBS Sports released his first-round mock draft and projects the 49ers will address the defensive line, a unit that struggled throughout last season. Despite injuries playing a role, the group finished with just 20 sacks—the fewest in the NFL.

Podell has San Francisco selecting former Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald.

"The San Francisco 49ers' defensive line crumbled under the weight of injuries to both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams in 2025," Podell wrote. "They did add defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa in a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, but he's more of a finesse pass rusher than a true run stuffer.

"Ohio State All-American defensive tackle Kayden McDonald is a run-stuffing monster, something the 49ers need after the Seattle Seahawks shoved them in a locker in the postseason."