Last week, we had a bit of a realistic San Francisco 49ers draft. This week, we have one that makes a lot of sense. Only time will tell if the 49ers lean on logic or natural tendencies.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter put together a five-round mock draft, with trades for this week. The 49ers were not on the trade block for any of the picks, staying at No. 27. With their pick, they took an offensive tackle, but not the one we have been talking about. Instead, they go with Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor:
Even if the 49ers and Trent Williams come to an agreement on a contract restructure for 2026, the veteran left tackle will be 38 when the season starts. Iheanachor played on the right side at Arizona State but lined up on both sides at East Los Angeles College. He possesses the athleticism to be an excellent pass protector on either end of San Francisco’s O-line.
Now we’re talking! My issues with Caleb Lomu last week were what he offered to the 49ers’ run game. Is Iheanachor any better? He might not be as “ready” as Lomu, but he’s got more versatility with his measurables, which makes him fit better in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
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Like last week, I’m leaning more towards an edge rusher than an offensive tackle. Why draft a tackle with the first pick when you have both right and left tackle figured out this year (maybe), but no answer for the edge opposite Nick Bosa? Then again, Iheanachor could give competition to Colton McKivitz on the right side in 2026. If I had to choose between Iheanachor and Lomu, I’d go with the former.
In the second round, we have the 49ers taking Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad. Well, at least it’s not a running back. I’m not too sure about Muhammad, though. I’m not sure where his projection is, but I’ve read he has a “lack of tackle strength.” Last thing any 49ers fan needs to see is the defense whiffing on tackles and it feels like that might happen. From what I saw, he looks like a pre-49ers free agent Ahkello Witherspoon. Is that what is needed in the second round?
In the fourth round, the 49ers get their edge rusher, Alabama’s LT Overton. Hey, I like this pick, but this is going to be a project. He’s a powerful kid, but I’m not sure what his ceiling is. The 49ers need the edge to complement Nick Bosa, and this could be the guy…in like, a year or two. Which is not what I want to say about the 49ers’ edge prospects in 2026.
Also in the fourth round, the 49ers take Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell. The best thing I can say about this is a poor man’s Deebo Samuel. I’m not sure if he’d be taken to be Deebo as a wide back. I look at his measurements and see him as a kick returner—which I would gladly take.
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We’re not done with the fourth round, as the 49ers take another offensive tackle, Boston College’s Jude Bowry. I guess my question is, if they are taking Iheanachor, why would they take Bowry? The answer is probably to get a swing tackle figured out. I imagine a pick like this would be to put him at guard and tackle.
Finally, we have Kansas State Safety VJ Payne taken. 49ers fans should want this guy for the name alone. Can he live up to it? Well, he’ll need development. I saw some of Payne play, and he tends to arm-tackle—and whiff—on plays. Which again, makes me skittish. In the fourth round, the 49ers are looking for players with development potential, not plug-and-play immediately. Payne has also done some great things, too, especially against tight ends, something the 49ers could definitely use. I think in a year, he could get a starting nod.
Overall, this sounds like a logical draft the 49ers make, addressing a few needs. What do you think of this haul?