The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books. We’ll spend the next couple of weeks breaking down the San Francisco 49ers’ selections. Before we do that, let’s look at one last mock draft round-up. This one is for next season.
As usual, most projections believed the 49ers would select a replacement for Trent Williams. One mock had the Niners selecting Gennings Dunker at No. 29 this time last year. He was selected No. 96 overall. In that same mock, Kaydn Proctor went No. 1 overall, while Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier were top 10 picks. Keep that in mind while you’re reading these.
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SB Nation’s James Dator gave San Francisco a defensive lineman from Miami. Justin Scott, 6’4″, 303 pounds, will still be an underclassman. He started for the Hurricanes during the final stretch of the season.
The former 5-star recruit was considered the best two-way lineman of the 2024 recruiting class. He’s expected to take a leap this upcoming season:
As a sophomore, Scott had 19 pressures, 22 stops, and a pair of sacks.
Another thing I find fascinating is where these mocks have the 49ers selecting. The Niners have the fourth-best odds in the NFC to make the playoffs on FanDuel Sportsbook. The first one had San Francisco picking No. 29. USA Today has them taking a safety at 24 overall:
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24. San Francisco 49ers – Koi Perich, S, Oregon
The back end of the 49ers’ defense hasn’t generated many splash plays in recent years. Perich, who dabbled at receiver at Minnesota and also was a standout returner, could change the dynamic of the secondary. At 6-1 and 200 pounds, he could be on the Dillon Thieneman trajectory as a supreme athlete looking to rediscover his top form with the Ducks after moving over from a Big Ten school.
Perch was fantastic in 2024 with the Minnesota Gophers. His play took a step back last season. He went from allowing a 55% completion percentage to 78%. Perch had five interceptions in ’24 and only one last season. But he transferred to Oregon, which means Perch will have an opportunity to put up numbers to get him back into the good graces of the league. He’s 6’1″, 200 pounds, so the size is there as well as the playmaking. Now, he needs to put it all together.
A defensive lineman, a safety, and now an offensive tackle from CBS Sports:
26. San Francisco 49ers: Lance Heard, OT, Kentucky
A former LSU signee, Heard has spent the past two seasons starting at left tackle for Tennessee and will suit up for Kentucky in 2026 — his third SEC stop. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, he uses his frame to dictate terms, though he may ultimately transition to the right side — or even inside — on Sundays.
Three months of Caleb Lomu at No. 27, and analysts still have not learned their lesson. Although the 49ers would draft a tackle in the first round, long before a safety. Heard is 6’6″, 330 pounds. He only gave up one quarterback hit and three sacks on 479 pass blocking snaps last season. This upcoming season will be Heard’s third year as a starter. His PFF grade jumped from a 44.9 to a 70.5, for those into that. It’ll also be Heard’s third school in the SEC.
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