The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear need to upgrade their pass rush after finishing with just 20 total sacks last season. Using the No. 27 overall pick on an edge rusher remains a strong possibility.<\/p>\n
However, Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports suggests an alternative path<\/a>\u2014one that involves a trade. Vacchiano identified Nick Herbig<\/a> of the Pittsburgh Steelers as the ideal target for San Francisco during the draft.<\/p>\n The proposed cost: a 2026 second-round pick (No. 58 overall) and a 2027 conditional fifth-round selection.<\/p>\n “Their pass rush was completely punchless last season, with Bryce Huff<\/a> leading the team with just four sacks,” Vacchiano wrote.<\/p>\n Huff, by the way, has since retired, leaving the 49ers in even greater need of reinforcements. Additionally, Nick Bosa<\/a> and Mykel Williams<\/a> are coming off ACL injuries that shortened their 2025 campaigns.<\/p>\n “They are hopeful that both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams will be healthy and back in their old form next season, but they could use another body in the rotation,” Vacchiano added. “Herbig, 24, is stuck in a rotation behind T.J. Watt<\/a> and Alex Highsmith<\/a> in Pittsburgh and in the final year of his contract. He had 13 sacks in a limited role over the past two seasons and would be well worth the high pick it would probably cost for the Steelers to swap him.”<\/p>\n