One mock draft predicts the Niners snagging Utah's blindside protector. The team eyes offensive line reinforcements for the future, even with Trent Williams.
The NFL draft is quickly approaching. One mock draft is turning heads.
ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager predicted his first round of picks. Unsurprisingly he has the Niners drafting an offensive lineman in Utah tackle Caleb Lomu. Schrager explained why the 49ers could select Lomu with the No. 27 pick.
"San Francisco's offensive line could be in flux if things don't get cleared up with Trent Williams' contract. And to be honest, even if the Niners and Williams work out his deal, the team still has to be thinking about the future; Williams will be 38 years old next season. Lomu played left tackle for the Utes last season, and although his game is still a work in progress, he's worthy of a first-round grade. He didn't allow any sacks in 2025."
The Niners need an offensive lineman, but Lomu may not be their first choice. That said, at No. 27 the draft provided Lomu and Arizona State offensive lineman Max Iheanachor who fell to the Houston Texans at No. 28.
Interestingly, Schrager has the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks drafting a running back. He mocked two Notre Dame running backs to the first round of picks. Schrager explained why Jadarian Price could end up at Seattle in the first round.
"Believe it or not, Notre Dame has never had two running backs selected in the first round of the same NFL draft. In fact, only four running back tandems from the same school have ever been selected in the first round in the same year. But Price is the No. 2 running back in this class and would provide some nice pop to the Seattle offense after the departure of Kenneth Walker III via free agency. He had only 113 carries last season but turned them into 674 yards and 11 scores."
It feels almost certain that the Niners will draft an offensive lineman should a good one fall to them at No. 27. That seems to be the way the draft is expected to unfold given how many mock drafts place a lineman in San Francisco. Add in the need for the Niners and one can reasonably expect that is where they will go with the pick.
Schrager has Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald being drafted at No. 26, but should he fall to San Francisco it could make for an interesting decision. We will monitor where the team goes with its first round pick.