49ers mock draft roundup: Trade up, down, or stay put? Plus, a Round 1 reach

The San Francisco 49ers currently hold the No. 27 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, leaving the franchise with several potential paths: trade up, trade down, or stay put.

If the 49ers target a high-end, instant-impact prospect who may not reach the end of the first round, a trade-up scenario could be in play. On the other hand, if they are satisfied with the projected board at No. 27—or prefer to add to their draft capital—moving down or staying put could be more realistic options.

Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports argues that the most logical move for San Francisco is to remain at No. 27.

"With just six picks -- including none in the third, fifth, sixth, or seventh rounds -- the 49ers don't seem to be trade-up candidates," Pereles wrote. "Plus, there are still good fits here, perhaps an interior defensive lineman, an EDGE defender, or an offensive lineman."

With that in mind, let's take a look at several new NFL mock drafts and see how the 49ers might use their first-round selection if they stay put at No. 27.

49ers add an edge rusher in Round 1

San Francisco could look to reinforce a struggling pass rush in the 2026 NFL Draft. In his latest mock draft, Adam Rank of NFL.com projects the 49ers selecting former Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in the first round.

It's worth noting that Rank's mock draft reflects what he believes teams should do rather than predicting actual selections.

"Edge rusher looms as a major need in San Francisco, and I love the fit of Mesidor in this defense," Rank wrote. "He's a strong, powerful rusher who can get into the backfield, which is ideal for handling quarterbacks like the Rams' Matthew Stafford. Adding him to a healthy 49ers D really would be something."

More defensive line help for the 49ers

In another projection, Nate Tice and Charles McDonald of Yahoo! Sports mock the 49ers addressing the interior of the defensive line at No. 27.

Despite already trading for Osa Odighizuwa and drafting defensive tackles Alfred Collins and CJ West last season, San Francisco is projected to continue reinforcing the unit. In this scenario, they select former Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods.

"The 49ers added some talent to their defensive line when they traded for Osa Odighizuwa from the Cowboys, but they could use another young body along the line to pair with Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins, whom they drafted early last year," Tice and McDonald wrote.

"Coming into the season, Woods was projected to be one of the first players drafted, but a quiet 2025 campaign could have him falling to the bottom of the first round — where he can play on a talented defensive line right away."

49ers reach with selection of 6-foot-9 offensive tackle?

Emory Hunt of CBS Sports released a first-round mock draft in which the San Francisco 49ers bolster quarterback Brock Purdy's protection. In this scenario, San Francisco selects former Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell, a towering 6-foot-9, 345-pound prospect.

Like Rank's mock draft, Hunt's projects what each team should do, and not what each might do.

"Bell started at left tackle for the Hurricanes and is a massive presence, similar to Trent Williams, whom he could eventually replace," Hunt wrote. "This may shock some, but I'm a big fan of Bell's game."

Why might this pick raise eyebrows? Bell is not widely projected as a first-round selection. In fact, Dane Brugler of The Athletic assigned the offensive lineman a third-to-fourth-round grade. Some have him graded even lower.

Bell also brings limited starting experience, with just one-and-a-half seasons as a full-time starter.