The 49ers are always in a push to win, and the goal of reaching the Super Bowl seems quite attainable. If soccer brings them a little good luck in terms of health, that would be a nice bonus.
Last season, however, they faced a torrent of injuries that nearly derailed their campaign. The fact they secured 12 wins and made it to the playoffs speaks volumes about the leadership of general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan.
Ultimately, those injuries cost them dearly in the postseason, culminating in a tough loss to the Seahawks, who went on to win the Super Bowl.
Lynch and Shanahan have been praised for a bold offseason. They’ve brought in wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, re-signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and traded for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.
Still, there’s more to be done. The draft is approaching, and there are three key areas they need to address.
Wide Receiver
The 49ers’ wide receiver corps was once considered the best in the league, but, well, it’s been a rocky journey. Deebo Samuel is no longer with the team, and Brandon Aiyuk’s future is uncertain, which transforms what used to be a strong area into something a bit wobbly.
As they head into the next season, they have a mix of veterans like Evans and Kirk—sure, they can provide some stability for a year, but they’re not solutions for the long haul.
This draft could be a good opportunity to bring in a young talent who might become a core player moving forward. Although the wide receiver class lacks superstars, it offers great depth, and you can reasonably expect impactful starters to emerge from the first few rounds.
The 49ers have just six picks, all within the first four rounds, so they’re positioned well to select a promising player.
Some top prospects like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and USC’s Makai Lemon will likely be gone when they make their 27th pick. However, they could consider Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, or Washington State’s Denzel Boston, all of whom should fit well in Shanahan’s offense.
In the subsequent rounds, Alabama’s Jermie Bernard, Georgia’s Zachariah Branch, and a few others could also be viable options.
Edge Rusher
Veteran Nick Bosa, last year’s first-round pick, and second-year player Mikel Williams both dealt with injuries last season. The hope is they’ll be back to form in 2026, which would solidify the starting lineup.
That said, pressure from pass rushers is crucial for a successful defense, and the 49ers managed only 20 sacks last season. This makes it likely they’ll look to add speed and skill on the edge.
Since they’re picking toward the end of the first round, getting a top pass rusher might be tricky, and it may be premature to go for prospects like Auburn’s Keldrick Faulk or Missouri’s Zion Young now.
However, if improving the defensive line is a priority and they’re worried about missing out on a good second-round option, drafting aggressively in the first round seems wise.
If waiting until Day 2, they could find potential in Illinois’ Gabe Jacus. Also, UFC’s Malachi Lawrence, who visited with the team recently, could be a solid choice in round two.
Offensive Line
No matter the outcome with Trent Williams’ new contract, the 49ers need to start considering life without their star left tackle, especially since he’ll be turning 38 in July.
There’s room for upgrades and internal growth here, too.
Interestingly, Shanahan and Lynch have only picked an offensive lineman in the first round once since they came on board in 2017. Maybe this year will change that trend.
Potential first-round picks could include Utah’s Caleb Lomu, Clemson’s Blake Miller, or Arizona State’s Max Iheanakor, especially if Alabama’s Kadin Proctor falls to them.
In later rounds, Northwestern’s Caleb Tiernan and Missouri’s Keigen Trost are players to watch.
It’s possible the 49ers will focus on the offensive line with both first- and second-round selections, aiming for a long-term tackle and a couple of guards.
Notable interior linemen to keep an eye on include Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis and Trey Zuune III, as well as others from Oregon, Iowa, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, and Auburn.
