49ers’ glaring need still apparent in early 2026 mock draft

The San Francisco 49ers did not select an offensive tackle during the 2025 NFL Draft—a position many considered one of the team's most significant needs, given Trent Williams' age and the fact that the future Hall of Fame left tackle missed the final seven games of the 2024 season.

Not only did the 49ers pass on drafting a tackle through all seven rounds, but they have yet to commit to signing one as an undrafted free agent (as of this post).

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports took an early look ahead, releasing his "way-too-early" 2026 mock draft. He acknowledges that it serves more as a watch list for fans rather than a firm projection of where prospects will land.

For the 49ers, the glaring need remains clear—the team must address the trenches, particularly at offensive tackle. That's why Edwards projects Utah's Caleb Lomu as a strong fit to protect quarterback Brock Purdy.

"Lomu looks the part of a big-time NFL left tackle," Edwards wrote. "The 2026 NFL Draft would be his first year of eligibility, so there is physical maturation that is still taking place. There are glimpses of some advanced technical work and Lomu could be a part of a strong offensive tackle class."

Lomu started 12 games at left tackle in 2024 and is listed at 6-foot-6, 304 pounds. He is aiming to take a big leap forward in 2025.

"Being a leader on the team. Doing as much as I can to lead the team to our bigger goals," Lomu recently told KSL Sports.

As for why the 49ers didn't invest more in protecting Purdy, who is poised to become one of the NFL's highest-paid players, general manager John Lynch said that's simply how the draft unfolded.

"There were a number of times that we were interested in adding, and it just didn't come our way," Lynch said on Saturday. "You've got to stay true to where you have guys graded, not take guys just to take them, but to take guys that you're interested in at that point. And it just never really aligned."