The NFL media world continues to churn out mock drafts, and there is no clear consensus on which direction the San Francisco 49ers will take in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team's lengthy list of needs and its slotted position in the first round—at No. 27 overall—make projecting the selection challenging.
The NFL staff over at The Athletic released a collaborative mock draft, with beat writer Matt Barrows making the selection for the 49ers. He has the team addressing the pass rush, which finished with a league-low 20 sacks in 2025, selecting former Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor in the first round.
"We have the team going with Akheem Mesidor, a powerfully built edge rusher who had 12.5 sacks and 17 .5 tackles for loss last season and made his biggest marks against top-end talent in the playoffs," Barrows wrote.
However, he also noted that selecting a wide receiver remained tempting, even after signing veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.
"Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was oh-so-tempting at this spot, and it's entirely possible Kyle Shanahan would be unable to resist snagging him here," Barrows wrote. "The rationale, however, is that there will be more enticing wideouts — Germie Bernard? Ted Hurst? Elijah Sarratt? — than edge rushers available when San Francisco's on the clock again late in Round 2."
Bleacher Report's scouting department released a collaborative mock draft, and can see the 49ers adding Cooper with their first draft selection. Cooper has drawn comparisons to former Niners wideout Deebo Samuel, and could serve as a dynamic weapon in Shanahan's offense.
The group also sees Cooper as a natural fit for the soon-to-be-gone Brandon Aiyuk.
"Cooper is a tough run-after-catch receiver with 4.4-second 40-yard-dash speed and the ability to high-point passes," Bleacher Report scout Dame Parson said. "Cooper fits the Kyle Shanahan mold for a power receiver who can create after the catch and win at all three levels of the field."
NFL Media's Eric Edholm released his second mock draft of the offseason, and like Barrows, has the 49ers going with an edge rusher. He projects former Clemson defensive end T.J. Parker to San Francisco at No. 27 overall.
"The Niners were dead last in the NFL in sacks last season, with Nick Bosa losing 14 games to a torn ACL," Edholm wrote. "Parker would be good insurance as Bosa returns to action and could team up well with Mykel Williams, making for a big, athletic group up front."
Williams, by the way, is also returning from an ACL injury. Additionally, Bryce Huff unexpectedly retired, heightening the need for pass-rush help.
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