The San Francisco 49ers are poised to execute a strategic pivot in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, with a final mock draft scenario emerging that sees the team trade out of the first round entirely, a move that could reshape their roster for the coming season. According to a detailed analysis from the San Francisco 49ers Report, the team is projected to trade the 27th overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals, acquiring the 34th and 65th selections in return, a maneuver designed to maximize value and address critical needs along the offensive line, defensive front, and skill positions. This draft strategy, unveiled just one day before the draft begins, reflects a calculated approach from a franchise seeking to rebound from a disappointing season and reload for a championship push.
The proposed trade centers on the Cardinals’ desire to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, a developmental prospect who could sit behind veteran Gardner Minshew and current starter Jacobe Brassette. Arizona, holding the third overall pick, is reportedly considering a move back to secure Simpson at a more favorable draft slot, and the 49ers are positioned to capitalize on this need. By sliding down to the 34th pick, San Francisco not only gains an additional third-round selection but also positions itself to target a player who might have been a reach at 27. The target at 34 is Chase Basantis, a guard from Texas A&M who brings a mean streak and quick feet ideal for Kyle Shanahan’s outside zone scheme. Basantis, a multi-year starter, allowed just one sack in over 400 snaps last season, showcasing the kind of reliability the 49ers need to bolster an interior offensive line that struggled against stout defensive fronts like those of the Seattle Seahawks.
The mock draft continues with the 49ers’ original second-round pick at 58, where they are projected to select Gabe Jackis, a defensive end from Illinois. Jackis, an All-American as a freshman in 2022, brings a combination of athletic size, technique, and a relentless motor that makes him a potential bust-proof prospect for a team that has seen early-round misses in recent years. His production is eye-popping: 13.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and 41 pressures in 2025, along with 13 TFLs, eight sacks, and 44 pressures the year prior. Jackis also forced three fumbles in each of those seasons, demonstrating a knack for creating turnovers. His testing numbers at the Illinois pro day were impressive, including a 4.69-second 40-yard dash and 30 reps on the bench press, underscoring his power and explosiveness off the edge. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is expected to appreciate Jackis’ versatility, as he can play in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts, though his run defense needs refinement. The 49ers’ existing run-stoppers like Muel Williams, CJ West, and Alfred Collins should help cover that weakness while Jackis focuses on pressuring quarterbacks.
With the 65th pick acquired from Arizona, the 49ers are projected to select Deon Stribbling, a wide receiver from Ole Miss who has produced at three different schools in three different offensive systems. Stribbling, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound burner with a 4.3-second 40-yard dash, is an electric playmaker who could provide an immediate spark to a receiving corps that added veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk this offseason. Evans will be 33 this season, and Kirk turns 30, making Stribbling a long-term investment with high upside. His 2025 season with the Rebels included 55 catches for 811 yards, nearly 15 yards per reception, and six touchdowns, with just one drop on the year. Stribbling’s relative athletic score of 9.54, a 36-inch vertical jump, and a broad jump of over 10 feet highlight his elite athleticism. He also excels as a run blocker, a trait Shanahan values highly, and his ability to create yards after the catch addresses a glaring weakness for the 49ers, who have struggled in that area over the past two seasons.
The fourth round brings a flurry of selections for the 49ers, starting at pick 127 with Bryce Bucher, a linebacker from Oregon. Bucher, who was also drafted by the Houston Astros as a center fielder, brings exceptional range and instincts to the linebacker position, skills that should translate well behind starters Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. His production at Oregon was stellar: 136 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, one interception, and two forced fumbles in 2025, following a 2024 campaign with nearly 100 tackles, eight TFLs, five pass breakups, one pick, and one forced fumble. Bucher is a bit undersized, but his coverage ability and solid tackling make him a valuable developmental piece who can contribute immediately on special teams. At pick 133, the 49ers are projected to select Bud Clark, a safety from TCU who is a ball-hawking center fielder in the mold the team desperately needs. Clark has 15 career interceptions and 21 pass breakups, including a pick-six of JJ McCarthy in the 2022 national championship game run. His instincts and feel for routes allow him to make plays on the ball, though he can be a gambler at times. That risk is worth it for a secondary that has lacked turnover generation.
At pick 138, the 49ers are projected to take Jude Valerie, an offensive tackle from Boston College who was named to the athletic freaks list for the 2025 season. Valerie, a left tackle with extensive experience, did not allow a sack last year for a struggling Boston College program, and his athletic profile is intriguing for a zone-blocking scheme. He ran a 5.08-second 40-yard dash, had 24 reps on the bench, a 34.5-inch vertical, and a broad jump of nearly 10 feet, all for a player well over 300 pounds. Valerie can develop behind Trent Williams, who is signed for two more years, and could eventually become the long-term replacement at left tackle. The final pick, at 139, is projected to be Eli Heidenreich, a versatile weapon from Navy who can play running back, wide receiver, and H-back. Heidenreich, a character player who fits the 49ers’ culture, lined up everywhere in Navy’s triple-option offense, catching 51 passes for 941 yards and 18.5 yards per catch in 2025, while also rushing 77 times for 499 yards and nine total touchdowns. He ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and has the vision and hands to thrive in Shanahan’s system, drawing comparisons to a less explosive Christian McCaffrey.
This mock draft scenario, which involves trading down from the first round, is designed to maximize value and address multiple needs with high-upside prospects. The 49ers currently hold six picks in the first four rounds, but by moving back from 27 to 34, they gain a third-rounder that allows them to target a receiver like Stribbling without reaching. The trade partner, Arizona, is a logical fit given their quarterback interest, and the deal could be finalized quickly on draft day. The 49ers’ front office, led by general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, has a history of making bold moves, and this draft strategy reflects a commitment to building through the trenches while adding dynamic playmakers. The offensive line, which struggled in 2025, gets a potential starter in Basantis and a developmental tackle in Valerie. The defensive line adds a pass rusher in Jackis who could contribute immediately, while the secondary gets a ball-hawking safety in Clark. The linebacker corps gains depth and upside with Bucher, and the offense adds a versatile weapon in Heidenreich who could be a matchup nightmare.
The urgency of this draft cannot be overstated for a 49ers team that missed the playoffs in 2025 after a Super Bowl appearance the year prior. The roster has aging stars like Trent Williams and Mike Evans, and the window for contention is narrowing. By trading back, the 49ers are not only acquiring more picks but also ensuring they get better value for their selections, a strategy that has worked for other successful franchises. The mock draft also highlights the importance of the fourth-round picks, which are compensatory selections from the loss of free agents. These picks give the 49ers flexibility to take chances on players like Bucher and Clark, who have high ceilings but may need time to develop. The emphasis on character and production, as seen with Heidenreich and Jackis, aligns with the team’s culture of drafting high-motor players who fit their scheme.
The reaction from fans and analysts will be mixed, as trading out of the first round is always a gamble, but the potential payoff is significant. The 49ers could emerge from this draft with a starting guard, a rotational pass rusher, a dynamic receiver, a developmental linebacker, a ball-hawking safety, a future left tackle, and a versatile weapon, all within the first four rounds. That depth could be the difference between a playoff run and another disappointing season. The draft begins Thursday night, and all eyes will be on the 49ers’ war room to see if they execute this plan or pivot to another strategy. The mock draft serves as a final blueprint for a team that needs to hit on its picks to remain competitive in a loaded NFC. The 49ers have the capital and the need to make moves, and this scenario offers a path to addressing their most glaring weaknesses while building for the future. The countdown to the draft is on, and San Francisco is ready to make its mark.
A bold projection outlines a dramatic path forward.
