With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, fresh projections continue to surface, offering insight into how the San Francisco 49ers might approach the first round. Several analysts have the team focusing on the trenches\u2014either reinforcing the offensive line or adding talent along the defensive front.<\/p>\n
In his third mock draft for NFL.com<\/a>, analyst Charles Davis projects the 49ers will address a long-ignored need: offensive tackle. Regardless of whether Trent Williams<\/a> and the team reach a contract resolution, San Francisco must plan for the future at left tackle.<\/p>\n Davis has San Francisco selecting former Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the No. 27 overall pick.<\/p>\n “Miller set the school record for career snaps at Clemson, and he was excellent against Penn State in the Tigers’ bowl game last season,” Davis wrote.<\/p>\n Miller measured 6-foot-7 and 317 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine and was a four-year starter at Clemson. He appeared in 54 games\u2014all starts\u2014while setting a school record with 3,778 offensive snaps from scrimmage.<\/p>\n In 2025, Miller started all 13 games<\/a> and logged a team-high 885 offensive snaps. He earned first-team All-ACC honors and set Clemson’s record for consecutive starts by a non-specialist (54).<\/p>\n According to Pro Football Focus, Miller delivered career-best marks in 2025, including a 78.5 overall grade and an 83.5 pass-blocking grade. He allowed just two sacks and 14 pressures while posting a 73.3 run-blocking grade.<\/p>\n 49ers bolster defensive line interior in Round 1<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in a mock draft for CBS Sports<\/a>, Josh Edwards also has the 49ers targeting the trenches\u2014but on the defensive side of the ball. He projects San Francisco will select former Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks.<\/p>\n “San Francisco has been drawn to the long interior defenders in the past,” Edwards explained. “Although Robert Saleh is no longer the defensive coordinator inciting those personnel acquisitions, one would think that is a profile that still appeals to Kyle Shanahan.<\/p>\n “The 49ers used two picks on defensive tackles last year, but now get another really talented prospect to pair with Osa Odighizuwa<\/a>.”<\/p>\n Those two picks were Alfred Collins<\/a> and CJ West<\/a>. The team also used its first-round draft pick on Mykel Williams<\/a>, a versatile defensive lineman who can line up at multiple spots. Collins and West graded as the team’s lowest performers (35.0 defensive grade each) last season, per Pro Football Focus, and Williams is working his way back from an ACL injury.<\/p>\n Banks brings intriguing size and upside. He measured 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine and began his collegiate career at Louisville (2021\u20132022) before transferring to Florida (2023\u20132025).<\/p>\n