Forget playmakers, one expert champions bolstering the trenches. Discover his surprising first-round offensive line prediction and a key edge rusher pick.
The San Francisco 49ers have had a successful offseason so far through the month of March. The Niners have more than addressed the playmaker need in adding one of the NFL's best wide receivers in Mike Evans to running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle. Now, the team will look to improve its floor.
With the draft ahead, many are projecting what position could fall to the Niners at No. 27. Though further in the draft, there is reason to believe they could find a quality player late in the first round.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller made his 7-round draft prediction. Miller provided his reasoning for drafting Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with the No. 27 pick in the first round.
"I feel like I predict that the 49ers will draft their offensive tackle of the future every year, yet they never do. Considering that All-Pro Trent Williams will be 38 and is in the midst of a contract impasse, this would be a good time for San Francisco to finally make that pick. Lomu started at left tackle during the past two seasons, allowing only three sacks (all in 2024). He plays with the agility and balance needed for the 49ers' offensive scheme."
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) reacts against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Levi's Stadium. Neville E. Guard-Imagn ImagesWith the second pick of the Niners' draft Miller has San Francisco addressing the other side of the line of scrimmage. He predicts the team to take Illinois Illini edge rusher Gabe Jacas with the No. 58 pick. Miller explained why Jacas makes sense for San Francisco in the second round.
"The 49ers had the fewest sacks of any team in the NFL last season and have edge starters Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams rehabbing from torn ACLs. They need depth. Jacas has great power, despite limited twitch, and a well-developed pass-rush plan."
The 49ers have been tied to star edge rushers this offseason with Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett as the latest rumored trade candidate, but to this point the team has not been able to make a trade for an elite edge happen. Barring a surprise, San Francisco probably is not going to find a Day 1 star in the draft either. Even so, they could find quality depth in the second round.
San Francisco could be shifting away from the skill positions to more foundational players for the remainder of the offseason. We'll see if they can address every need over the next couple of months.