The San Francisco 49ers are officially in offseason mode after a rough ending to their 2025 campaign - a 41-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that slammed the door on their playoff run. And while the team’s focus now shifts to retooling for 2026, the first domino has already fallen: longtime defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is heading back to the head coaching ranks, taking over the Tennessee Titans.
That leaves a big hole on the defensive side of the coaching staff, but it's hardly the only major decision looming for the Niners. This offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one, with more than 25 players set to hit free agency. That list includes key contributors across the board - wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne, offensive linemen Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford, defensive linemen Jordan Elliott and Yetur Gross-Matos, tight end Jake Tonges (whose role could grow significantly with George Kittle recovering from an Achilles injury), punter Thomas Morstead, and kicker Eddy Pineiro.
In short, every unit could be in for a shake-up. And how the front office approaches free agency will go a long way in shaping their strategy for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Still, even with so many immediate needs, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes the Niners might look a little further down the road with their first-round pick. In his initial mock draft for 2026, Kiper projects San Francisco to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the 27th overall pick - a move aimed at preparing for life after Trent Williams.
Kiper recently bumped Lomu into his top 25 overall prospects, praising his versatility and athleticism: “He is really good in both pass protection and run blocking, and his quickness is going to be an asset in the NFL,” Kiper wrote. “Could he be the heir apparent for Trent Williams at left tackle?”
That’s the big question. Williams, now 37, will turn 38 this summer and is entering the final year of his current deal - a three-year, $82.66 million extension he restructured before the 2024 season. While he hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down (he ranked third among all NFL tackles with a 91.5 PFF grade in 2025), the clock is ticking on his Hall of Fame-caliber career.
Drafting Lomu now gives the 49ers a chance to groom a high-upside replacement without rushing him into action. And if Williams sticks around beyond 2026, Lomu’s athleticism and blocking chops could make him a plug-and-play option at left guard - potentially filling the void left by Burford if he departs in free agency - before eventually sliding out to tackle.
Lomu brings plenty to the table. He started 24 games at Utah and allowed just three sacks in that span - all during the 2024 season. That kind of consistency, paired with his movement skills and physicality, makes him a compelling fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, especially with Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy relying heavily on clean lanes and protection to keep the offense humming.
Sure, some fans might raise an eyebrow at using a first-rounder on a player who might not start right away. But for a team with long-term Super Bowl aspirations, planning ahead - especially at a premium position like left tackle - is more of a necessity than a luxury. And if Lomu lives up to his billing, the Niners could be setting themselves up for a seamless transition when Williams eventually calls it a career.
Kiper’s mock drafts will evolve between now and April, no doubt. But if this projection holds, it’s a move that makes a lot of football sense - both for the short-term flexibility it offers and the long-term stability it could provide.