49ers’ Draft Priorities Should Start in the Trenches, Not on the Perimeter
As the 2026 NFL Draft inches closer, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves at a pivotal crossroads. After a season that ended in frustration and exposed some glaring weaknesses, the path forward should be clear: build from the inside out. Yet, recent mock drafts suggest the team might be leaning toward flash over function - and that’s a mistake they can’t afford to make.
Yes, the Niners have multiple needs. Wide receiver, edge rusher, and secondary depth are all on the list.
But not all holes in a roster are created equal. And if San Francisco wants to get back to contending for a Super Bowl, the offensive line has to be the top priority - not a luxury pick at receiver.
Receiver Room Looks Thin - But Not Desperate
Let’s start with the wide receiver situation. Brandon Aiyuk is officially gone after a long, rocky saga that ended with his guaranteed 2026 salary voided due to complications with his knee rehab. Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore are all headed for free agency, leaving the receiver depth chart looking a little bare.
But “bare” doesn’t mean “emergency.”
Receivers enter the league every year in waves. Impact players can be found on Day 2.
Solid contributors are still there on Day 3. And every offseason, free agency offers a buffet of plug-and-play options.
The 49ers don’t need to burn a first-round pick to find someone who can catch passes - especially not when the bigger issue is making sure the quarterback has time to throw them.
The Real Issue: Protecting Brock Purdy
Let’s not forget how the 2025 season unraveled. Brock Purdy spent the second half of the year running for his life.
The offensive line struggled mightily against top-tier defensive fronts, especially in the NFC West. Seattle and Los Angeles had a field day collapsing the pocket, disrupting the run game, and forcing Purdy into off-script chaos.
That’s not a wide receiver problem. That’s a protection problem.
And it’s one that won’t be solved by adding another playmaker out wide.
You can find receivers. You can scheme guys open.
But you can’t scheme your way out of poor pass protection. If the 49ers want to maximize Purdy’s strengths - his rhythm, timing, and quick decision-making - they need to give him a clean pocket.
That starts with investing in offensive linemen who can anchor, protect, and grow into long-term starters.
Round 1 Pick: A Missed Opportunity?
In a recent two-round mock draft, San Francisco is projected to take Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion with the 27th overall pick. On paper, Concepcion is electric - 61 catches, 919 yards, nine touchdowns, plus nearly 500 punt return yards in 2025. He’s dynamic in space, explosive off the line, and earned the Paul Hornung Award for his versatility.
He’s a fun player. A real weapon.
But he’s not what the 49ers need in Round 1.
Concepcion might replace some of what’s been lost with Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, but he doesn’t fix the root of the problem that derailed last season. And that’s where the pick misses the mark. The first round is where you secure foundational pieces - especially when your offensive line is this thin.
Round 2: A Better Fit, But Still Backwards
In Round 2, the mock has the Niners selecting Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas. Now this pick makes a lot more sense.
Thomas has been a rising force over the past two seasons, earning back-to-back All-SEC honors and putting up impressive pressure numbers. He’s not the biggest edge rusher on the board, but his burst off the line and consistent production make him a strong value at No. 58.
With Nick Bosa expected back from an ACL tear and Mykel Williams recovering from the same injury, edge depth is a legitimate concern. Bryce Huff is still in the mix, but the rest of the rotation - Sam Okuayinonu, Yetur Gross-Matos, Clelin Ferrell - is in flux with free agency looming.
So yes, Thomas is a good pick. But it doesn’t change the fact that the order of operations is off. If the 49ers walk out of the first round without addressing the offensive line, it’s a misstep in team-building priorities.
The Blueprint Is Simple
San Francisco doesn’t need to overthink this. The formula is clear:
- Round 1: Invest in the offensive line. Find a tackle or interior lineman who can start early and stabilize the front five.
- Round 2: Add value at edge rusher if it’s there - and with someone like Thomas, it is.
- Rounds 3-7: Load up on secondary depth.
Injuries exposed the lack of depth at corner and safety last season, and that can’t happen again.
This isn’t about ignoring skill positions. It’s about understanding what truly makes an offense - and a team - sustainable.
The Niners have weapons. What they need now is the infrastructure to let those weapons operate.
So when the draft clock starts ticking, San Francisco’s front office needs to block out the noise and focus on what matters most: protecting their quarterback and building a foundation that can hold up in January. The flashy pick can wait. The trenches can’t.