ESPN’s Matt Miller took on the arduous task of issuing a seven-round mock draft ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.

Miller’s selections included a trench-heavy haul for the San Francisco 49ers. We went through each of the selections and gave our thoughts on the player and the overall strategy of the positions chosen at each spot.

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Here are our thoughts on each pick of Miller’s seven-round mock for the 49ers:

Round 1, Pick 27: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

It seems unlikely the 49ers would select an offensive tackle in the first round of this year’s draft. They need impact starters at a bunch of positions and Lomu wouldn’t be in line to start unless something goes sideways with Trent Williams’ contract dispute. Lomu is a quality prospect, however, with good size and athleticism at 6-6, 313 pounds. He also has 33 3/8-inch arms. Lomu was a two-year starter at the University of Utah so there may still be some development ahead of him. The 49ers would have to be ready for their first-round pick to be primarily a swing tackle until Williams retires. If they think Lomu can eventually be an All-Pro, perhaps they roll the dice on him. Chances are they go with a defensive end or wide receiver in this spot.

Round 2, Pick 58: DE Gabe Jacas, Illinois

A DE in Round 2 could be in play no matter what happens in Round 1. Jacas has a ton of upside and brings NFL size with 33-inch arms and a 6-4, 260-pound frame. He racked up 27.0 sacks across four seasons and 50 games at the University of Illinois. He posted 8.0 as a sophomore, and then 11.0 last season as a senior. Jacas could quickly become a primary piece of the 49ers’ DE rotation with the upside to be a three-down player.

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Round 4, Pick 127: C Logan Jones, Iowa

By Round 4 the 49ers may be ready to take a center. Given their lack of investment in the position via the draft it would be a small surprise if they went that route here. Jones measured in at 6-3, 299 pounds which isn’t ideal size, but he can flat out play football. If San Francisco wants to potentially replace Jake Brendel in 2026, Jones has a chance to be a Day 1 NFL starter. If they’re not ready to replace Brendel, it’s harder to envision them selecting a backup center with other needs still on the board.

Round 4, Pick 133: CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin

A cornerback in this spot feels right. The 49ers don’t necessarily need a starter, but younger depth is a necessity in a secondary with some depth pieces that don’t appear to be long-term options. He has good size at 6-1, 193 pounds and his physicality stands out on tape. He turned in good combine numbers to help back up his nine interceptions and 35 pass breakups over his four seasons (42 games) for the Lumberjacks.

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Round 4, Pick 138: LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama

This is another spot where a quality, young depth piece would make sense. Lawson has the size to be a Sam LB if the team is set long-term at the Will LB spot. That’s notable because neither Dee Winters nor Nick Martin have the frame to be a prototypical Sam. Lawson has good enough athleticism, although it doesn’t jump off the screen. Lawson spent five seasons with the Crimson Tide and played in 52 games where he racked up 283 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 16 pass breakups and one interception. The 49ers badly need depth at LB that can play on defense. Lawson could be that piece.

Round 4, Pick 139: DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State

More investment in the defensive line makes sense at any time of the draft. Jackson has formidable size at 6-5 1/2. 315 pounds. He also has massive 34 3/4-inch arms and 11-inch hands. All of those physical tools are enough to place a bet on Jackson late in the fourth round. The 49ers wouldn’t need him to be productive right away, but he has a ton of upside. His size can become a problem when he gets too high coming off the ball, but that’s a problem the 49ers worked on with Alfred Collins with some success last season.

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL draft: Caleb Lomu leads 6-player class in 49ers 7-round mock