49ers target top edge rusher and dynamic receiver in mock draft, addressing critical needs for their championship contention.
The San Francisco 49ers hold two critical picks late in the first and second rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. While the 49ers finished just a game shy of the NFC West title and the top conference seed last season, they remain locked in a fierce arms race with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and a rejuvenated Los Angeles Rams squad. To maintain their elite status, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan need this draft class to yield immediate contributors.
In a recent two round mock draft, Underdog Fantasy’s Josh Norris and Hayden Winks identified edge rusher and wide receiver as the primary targets for San Francisco, landing on Miami’s Akheem Mesidor at No. 27 and Louisville’s Chris Bell at No. 58.
Round 1, Pick 27: Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami
Mesidor was a prolific force during his final season with the Hurricanes, racking up 12.5 sacks in 2025. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 259 pounds, he possesses the frame and technical polish to step in as a Day 1 starter opposite Nick Bosa.
However, Mesidor enters the league at 25 years old which is a factor that may give some front offices pause when considering a first-round investment. For perspective, Mykel Williams (the 49ers' 2025 first round edge) was only 21 when drafted, and Bosa himself is only three years older than Mesidor despite having seven NFL seasons under his belt. Despite the age gap, Mesidor's production might be exactly what a San Francisco team needs.
Round 2, Pick 58: Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
The 49ers’ second round target, Chris Bell, was arguably the most dangerous weapon in the ACC before a devastating ACL tear on Nov. 22 cut his season short. Before the injury, Bell was putting together a career year with 72 receptions for 917 yards and eight touchdowns in just 11 games.
Across four seasons with the Cardinals, Bell proved his consistency, hauling in 151 receptions for 2,166 yards. While the injury adds a layer of risk to his draft stock, his blend of power and separation skills would offer Kyle Shanahan a dynamic complementary piece for Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall once fully healthy.
Laying the Groundwork for the Future
Both Mesidor and Bell come with valid question marks, just like almost everyone that the 49ers signed in this year's free agency window, but their on field quality is undeniable. Taking this route wouldn't be the strangest move for a 49ers front office that has historically valued high ceiling traits and "pro-ready" physicality.
While edge rusher and receiver were partially addressed in free agency, adding prospects of this caliber would ensure long term stability at two of the most expensive positions in the NFL.