Experts predict 49ers picks after Round 1 exit in 2026 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers reshaped their draft board on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, executing trades with the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets to move out of the first round, and increasing their pick total to seven.

Day 2 begins with San Francisco on the clock at No. 33 overall—the first pick of the second round. With Round 1 complete, analysts quickly turned their attention to projecting what teams might do with their remaining selections.

While the 49ers are slated to make the next pick, that could change.

And you thought we were done with mock drafts.

CBS Sports projects pass-rush help for 49ers

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports has the 49ers addressing their pass rush early after a season in which the defense recorded an NFL-low 20 sacks. He projects San Francisco selecting former Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas with the No. 33 pick.

"Thomas is a personal favorite in this draft class and has been on my radar since his high school days, when he was a late riser," Edwards wrote. "He brings so much energy to the field and is relentless in pursuit of the quarterback.

"There are so many in this class who can set the edge, but not push the pocket or push the pocket, but not set the edge. Thomas is one I'd want in my corner to potentially grow into that well-rounded starter."

With their second pick in Round 2 (No. 58 overall), the 49ers select former Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell, addressing another need on offense.

"Among Day 2 options at the wide receiver position, Bell has arguably the most potential," Edwards wrote. "He has great size and is dynamic with the ball in space. There is absolutely some boom or bust potential with him coming off an injury, but he could develop into something more than the complementary receiver often found on Day 2."

PFSN mock draft has 49ers targeting secondary, offense

Jacob Infante of Pro Football & Sports Network projected all remaining picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, starting with the 49ers selecting former Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at No. 33.

"A 6'3″ safety with impressive size, length, and straight-line speed, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has freakish athleticism with the potential to go higher than many expect," Infante wrote. "He's a hard hitter and a smart processor who stands out as one of the best players available heading into Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft."

At No. 58 overall, Infante also has Chris Bell landing with the 49ers.

"Listed at 6'2″ and 220 pounds, Chris Bell is a freak athlete for his size with the raw speed and strength to be a potential force at wide receiver," Infante wrote. "He falls a little bit due to a thin route tree and a season-ending injury, but one could argue that Bell has the highest ceiling among wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft."

Infante projects San Francisco addressing the offensive line with its final Day 2 pick, selecting former Boston College offensive tackle Jude Bowry at No. 90.

"If you want to take a shot on tools at offensive tackle late on Day 2, Jude Bowry might be the guy in this class," Infante wrote. "He's a bit raw as a technician but has the prototypical length and movement skills to make the jump to the NFL level."

Here's how Infante envisions the rest of San Francisco's picks playing out, including a second consecutive selection on an offensive tackle:

• Round 4, pick 127: OT JC Davis, Illinois
• Round 4, pick 133: S VJ Payne, Kansas State
• Round 4, pick 139: Edge Mason Reiger, Wisconsin

Notably, the projection does not include San Francisco's fifth-round pick, which was acquired in the trade with the Jets.

ESPN also has 49ers targeting safety and receiver in Round 2

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller also has the San Francisco 49ers addressing key needs in the secondary and receiving corps early on Day 2.

With the No. 33 overall pick, Miller projects the 49ers selecting former Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren—matching Infante's projection.

"The 49ers moved out of Round 1, but the chance to take the player I originally predicted for them is still here as McNeil-Warren slips to Round 2," Miller wrote. "After watching rival Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori neutralize offenses, former safety and 49ers general manager John Lynch can draft his own version."

At No. 58 overall, Miller has San Francisco continuing to build on offense by selecting former Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams.

"San Francisco added Mike Evans in free agency, and they like Ricky Pearsall as a deep threat, but an intermediate option from the slot is needed," Miller wrote. "Williams is a precise route runner with consistent hands and yards-after-catch ability."

To close out Day 2, Miller projects the 49ers addressing the offensive line, selecting former Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell with the No. 90 overall pick—in the third round.

NFL.com has 49ers going wide receiver at No. 33

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein has the 49ers addressing wide receiver early to kick off Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

With the No. 33 overall pick, Zierlein projects the 49ers selecting former Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.

"The 49ers grab a big, outside target with great body control and an ability to score touchdowns," Zierlein wrote.

At No. 58 overall, he has San Francisco turning to the defensive side of the ball, selecting former TCU safety Bud Clark.

"Injuries and durability have been concerns, but Clark has a knack for taking the football away," Zierlein wrote.

With their lone third-round selection at No. 90 overall, the 49ers are projected to add depth along the offensive line, selecting former Florida offensive tackle Austin Barber.

CBS Sports' bold prediction: 49ers still targeting edge rusher

While not a full mock draft, CBS Sports' Jared Dubin included the 49ers in his bold predictions for Rounds 2 and 3, projecting the team to target an edge rusher at No. 33.

"San Francisco has a pair of edges coming off season-ending injuries in Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, and could still use some pass rush juice coming off the edge of the formation," Dubin wrote. "With players like R Mason Thomas, Zion Young, Cashius Howell, T.J. Parker and Gabe Jacas still available, the bet here is that San Francisco adds to that unit to help new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris pressure the quarterback. "