Could the 49ers gamble on defense and playmakers, bypassing offensive linemen entirely? Explore this bold draft strategy and its potential consequences.
While it is widely assumed the San Francisco 49ers are going to select an offensive lineman at some point during the 2026 NFL Draft, can the 49ers have a successful draft without taking a single blocker?
At this point, with the draft just days away, a "Trent Williams solution" is the only thing that could make this scenario plausible. If John Lynch and Williams can finalize their restructured deal, which reportedly includes $36 million in guarantees, before the first round kicks off, the 49ers might feel they have the luxury to pivot. But make no mistake, ignoring the trenches entirely would be an interesting choice for a team with an aging blindside and a newly patched together interior.
Using PFF’s mock draft simulator, I explored what a draft without an offensive lineman might look like. In this scenario, the 49ers lean heavily into the "best player available" (BPA) philosophy, assuming that Robert Jones and Vederian Lowe can hold the fort as depth.
The Defensive Triple Down
The first three picks go to defense in this scenario, prioritizing a pass rush that managed only 20 sacks last season.
- Pick 27: The Niners land Malachi Lawrence from UCF. Lawrence is a board-faller here who provides the immediate speed rush ability lost when Bryce Huff retired.
- Pick 58: San Francisco nets Romello Height from Texas Tech. Height was a Top 30 visit for the team and provides the "big end" versatility Raheem Morris loves.
- Pick 127: The 49ers double up on secondary depth with Treydan Stukes from Arizona.
Starting with this defensive haul is a compelling reason to skip the OL early, as it turns a 2025 weakness into a 2026 strength.
The Skill Position Pivot
Rather than drafting a developmental tackle like Jude Bowry, the next two picks address the aging weapons around Brock Purdy.
- Pick 133: The 49ers grab wide receiver Deion Burks from Oklahoma. Burks provides a vertical threat that this simulation prioritized over a guard.
- Pick 138: The team lands tight end Jack Endries from Texas. Endries is a local product who can provide the reliable TE2 presence the team has lacked behind George Kittle.
The Wild Card Finish
- Pick 139: Much like the wide receiver scenario, this is the time for a trade. The 49ers move back with the Jets to grab a late round "lottery ticket."
- Pick 228: With the final pick, the Niners ignore the line one last time to grab a specialist or a developmental linebacker like Nick Martin from Oklahoma State.
Can They Really Get Away With It?
Is this a realistic strategy? If Trent Williams signs on the dotted line this week, the "need" for a Round 1 tackle like Caleb Lomu diminishes from an alarm fire to a manageable concern.
However, "not needing" a tackle is different from "not wanting" one. Even with Williams locked in for 2026, the rest of the line consists of Jake Brendel entering his fifth year as a starter and Dominick Puni entering a pivotal Year 3. Sidelining the offensive line entirely in favor of an all defense or all weapon draft would be the ultimate gamble. It assumes that the current group is enough to get Brock Purdy a ring today, while leaving the "life after Trent" questions for 2027.