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Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu
While the San Francisco 49ers don’t possess a lot of draft picks (six to be exact), they will still have the chance to draft talented players early and often later this month. In fact, as of right now, their six draft picks are slated to take place within the first four rounds of the NFL Draft.
ESPN insider Peter Schrager just released his latest mock draft, which has given 49ers fans some insight into what the 49ers brass may be thinking in terms of what position they could draft in the first round. Schrager is predicting San Francisco to draft Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu.
The San Francisco 49ers Need to Find Their Future Left Tackle
GettyThe 49ers currently hold the 27th overall pick.
Schrager predicting that the Niners will draft a left tackle, more specifically Lomu, is proof that they are interested in finding a long-term answer beyond future Hall of Famer Trent Williams. The 12-time Pro-Bowler is in yet another contract dispute with the team, and at 37 years of age, his NFL days are numbered. While he has continued to play at a high level, Father Time is always undefeated. This is where Lomu could come in.
Peter Schrager just dropped a 2026 NFL Mock Draft. 👀
What stands out to you?
An All-Big 12 performer and former All-American, Lomu proved during his career in Salt Lake City why he is one of the draft’s most consistent protectors. Standing at 6’6″ and running a sub-5.0 40-yard dash, he has the perfect combination of size and speed to play elite football along the trenches.
If the 49ers make the move to draft him, the fan base should be thrilled. While drafting offensive linemen might not grab the most headlines, they are a necessity in this sport, and in this year’s draft class, Lomu is one of the best.
The 49ers Need to Draft Well the Rest of the Way
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch were both brought to San Francisco in 2017.
Due to the 49ers’ lack of draft picks, they are in an interesting position. The reason why they are picking almost at the end of the first round is that they had another great year in 2025. After a 12-5 season that resulted in another playoff run, this franchise is in a prime position to contend for a Super Bowl in 2026.
But again, their position is interesting because they only have so many chances to address team needs. Not only do they have fewer draft picks than the rest of the league, but they are also filled with veteran players who have had their fair share of injuries. Superstar players like the newly signed Mike Evans, who played in just eight games last season, All-Pro tight end George Kittle, All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, and multiple defensive stars have battled injuries in recent years.
While the 49ers are very close to a possible Super Bowl run, they are going all-in on an older team with somewhat fewer draft picks at their disposal. Time will tell if this organization goes with Schrager’s prediction of an offensive tackle in round one.
Tim Lindsey A Chicago-area native, Tim Lindsey has covered the world of sports through a variety of different lenses. More specifically, he has been an NFL writer for sites such as Sports Illustrated and PFSN. Notable teams like the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers have been a major point of emphasis for the longtime writer in the past. More about Tim Lindsey
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