Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated is taking a self-proclaimed "way-too-early" look at the 2026 NFL Draft, projecting how teams might address roster needs a year from now. For the San Francisco 49ers, one major focus is finding a successor to All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, a move many expected the team to make in this year's draft.
However, the 49ers didn't just pass on an offensive tackle—they waited until the seventh round to select an offensive lineman, using the No. 249 overall pick on Iowa guard Connor Colby.
Flick has San Francisco correcting that potential oversight in 2026. Using BetMGM's Super Bowl odds to determine the mock draft order, he projects the 49ers selecting Oregon offensive tackle Isaiah World with the No. 27 overall pick.
"The 49ers need to find an eventual successor—or, in 2026, immediate replacement—for left tackle Trent Williams, and World fits the bill," Flick explained. "After a pair of All-Mountain West honorable mention campaigns, World transferred to Oregon this spring. The 6' 8", 309-pounder is big and powerful, has experience at both left and right tackle and he allowed just one sack and two quarterback hits last season, according to Pro Football Focus."
World previously played at Nevada.
Williams, who will turn 37 ahead of the 2025 season, missed the final seven games of last year due to an ankle injury. While he's still performing at a high level when healthy, the future Hall of Famer's retirement is likely on the horizon, making the search for his replacement a priority for San Francisco.
H/t to Peter Panacy of Niner Noise for the find.
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