With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, the San Francisco 49ers’ strategy for their seven selections is coming into sharp focus, with a mock draft projection targeting immediate impact and future foundational pieces. Analyst Chase Senior’s latest forecast addresses critical needs on both sides of the ball, beginning with a dynamic pass rusher to bolster a defensive line facing significant questions. The 49ers, picking at 27th overall after a divisional round exit, are positioned to select a player who can contribute immediately despite the late first-round slot.
The selection for that premier pick is Cash How, an explosive edge rusher from Texas A&M, a direct response to offseason uncertainty along the defensive front. The retirement of Bryce Huff and the recovery timelines for stars Nick Bosa and Mike Williams from ACL surgeries create a pressing need for a disruptive presence. How brings a proven track record of production, amassing 11.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2025, demonstrating the burst and athleticism to pressure quarterbacks consistently.
Scouts laud How’s character as a self-starter wholly dedicated to football, a trait highly valued by the Lynch-Shanahan regime. While his size and run defense are areas for development, his pass-rush juice and unique ability to knock down passes complement existing personnel. His consistent pressure numbers across multiple seasons, including a transition from Bowling Green to the SEC, showcase a player ready for the professional leap and capable of revitalizing the 49ers’ pass rush.
In the second round, with the 57th overall selection, the mock draft pivots to offense, targeting Ole Miss wide receiver Dejon Stripling. This pick aims to inject elite speed and yards-after-catch ability into a receiving corps that has lacked consistent explosion. Stripling, a physical marvel who ran a blistering 4.36-second 40-yard dash, offers a 6’2” frame, strong hands, and a reputation as a tenacious blocker, fitting the prototype for a Kyle Shanahan offense.
His production across three different collegiate programs—Washington, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss—demonstrates reliable hands and adaptability, with a remarkably low drop rate. While his deep-route production is surprisingly modest given his speed, Shanahan’s scheme is renowned for creating opportunities in space, making Stripling’s after-catch prowess and reliable target a potentially perfect marriage. This selection represents a calculated move to add a high-upside weapon for the quarterback.
The 49ers are absent from the third round due to the trade for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, making their cluster of fourth-round picks crucial for adding depth. At 127th overall, the projection is mammoth offensive lineman Markell Bell, a versatile prospect from a national championship contender. Bell, capable of playing guard or tackle, is viewed as a potential long-term successor to Trent Williams, offering a massive wingspan and surprising footwork for his size.
His pass-blocking proficiency, evidenced by an 83.5 grade last season without allowing a sack, provides a solid foundation despite some concerns over weight consistency and penalties. Drafted as a developmental piece, Bell could compete immediately at guard while being groomed for a future tackle role, offering tremendous value in the middle rounds for an offensive line that must plan for eventual transitions.
With the very next pick at 133rd overall, the mock addresses the tight end position by selecting Nate Borcacher from Texas A&M. In a system that heavily utilizes tight ends, Borcacher presents a balanced skill set as a solid inline blocker with flashes of receiving athleticism and a good catch radius. His limited statistical production is not considered a major red flag, as college tight end numbers are often suppressed by scheme and surrounding talent.
The focus instead is on his foundational traits: blocking willingness, athletic potential, and the ability to make contested catches. Under Shanahan’s tutelage, Borcacher could develop into a reliable dual-threat option, providing crucial depth and a new target in two-tight end sets, thereby enhancing the offense’s versatility and power-run capabilities.
The fifth round sees the 49ers potentially taking a high-reward flier on athleticism with the selection of LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. at 167th overall. Perkins, who tore his ACL two years prior, returned with no ill effects, showcasing the explosive, blitzing speed that made him a standout. While slightly undersized, his playmaking mentality and proven production—including three interceptions and four sacks in his comeback season—align with San Francisco’s history of developing athletic linebackers.
This pick is a forward-looking investment, allowing Perkins to learn and develop behind All-Pro Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw without immediate pressure to start. His special teams value and pass-rush capability from the second level could provide immediate sub-package contributions while he refines his game for a larger future role in the defense.
Concluding the draft, the final pick in the sixth round, 207th overall, is dedicated to reinforcing the secondary with high-character depth, selecting Texas safety Michael Tapp. His journey from walk-on to All-American epitomizes the football IQ and relentless drive the 49ers covet. Though undersized, Tapp is a sure tackler with excellent instincts, consistently around the football, as shown by his 12 pass breakups in 2024.
His versatility, willingness to blitz, and proven ball skills suggest a player who can contribute on special teams and in sub-packages while providing crucial depth behind starters Talanoa Hufanga and Ji’Ayir Brown. In the late rounds, finding a player with his intangibles and proven playmaking feel represents a significant value and a potential steal for the backend of the roster.
This comprehensive mock draft framework balances urgent needs with long-term vision, targeting specific athletic profiles and character fits synonymous with the 49ers’ organizational philosophy. From pressuring the quarterback to adding offensive weapons and securing developmental linemen, each selection is crafted to sustain the team’s championship window. As the draft approaches, these projections will be tested, but the blueprint focuses on maintaining an elite roster through shrewd, value-driven choices.
New projections hint at a fearless approach heading into 2026.
