San Francisco faces potential turnover on the defensive front, with seven players at the DL/Interior spots set to become free agents. Coupled with Nick Bosa’s return from ACL surgery, the 49ers will prioritize depth and future sustainability as John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan steward the next rookie class.
Round 1, Pick 27: Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. Woods provides a disruptive presence at 6-3 and 310 pounds, potentially offsetting losses along the interior and complementing Bosa. His quickness and power give San Francisco a front-line anchor to rebuild its depth.
Round 2, Pick 58: Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt. Sarratt could address Brandon Aiyuk’s eventual replacement, offering notable route adjustment and body control, especially in the red zone, even if speed is a noted limitation.
Round 3, Pick 92: Penn State edge Dani Dennis-Sutton. A 6-5 edge with violent hands and strong pursuit, Dennis-Sutton adds upside after his more heralded teammate; he could broaden the 49ers’ pass-rush repertoire while continuing to develop pass-rush moves.
Round 4, Pick 127: Boise State tackle Kage Casey. Casey profiles as a potential successor to Trent Williams, offering patience and hand placement in pass protection with a learning curve to avoid bending under pressure.
Round 4, Pick 133: Oklahoma guard Febechi Nwaiwu. Nwaiwu’s road grading in the run game and his versatility to move to center give San Francisco flexibility along the interior line.
Round 4, Pick 138: TCU safety Bud Clark. Clark brings awareness and ball skills, with a knack for baiting throws, pairing cerebral play with range in the back end.
Round 5, Pick 171: Alabama cornerback Domani Jackson. Jackson’s straight-line speed could widen the 49ers’ defensive options, though injury history factors into day-three considerations.
Round 7, Pick 247: Stanford tight end Sam Roush. Roush offers blocking value with intermediate-zone receiving potential, potentially positioning him as a development path behind George Kittle.
Overall, the mock draft portrays a defense-first, youth-forward approach aimed at fortifying the front seven and supplementing the skill positions as the 49ers balance aging veterans with long-term contributors. Lynch and Shanahan have a history of identifying impact players—Kittle, Lenoir, and Bosa among their notable breakthroughs—and the 2026 rookie class could continue that trend amid the team’s evolving needs.
