With the San Francisco 49ers' season officially over, attention now shifts to free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft as the team looks to retool its roster for next season. While most mock drafts project the 49ers to address the offensive line with the No. 27 overall pick, some "experts" have head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch charting a different course.

In his latest mock draft for Pro Football and Sports Network, Reese Decker has the 49ers using their first-round pick to add another offensive weapon for quarterback Brock Purdy. With Brandon Aiyuk likely on his way out, Decker projects San Francisco to select Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell.


"The 49ers add a big-time playmaker to their receiving corps," Decker wrote. "Bell is calm and confident at all times. He's a natural catcher with strong hands and outstanding ball skills, consistently coming down with everything thrown his way."

Bell (6-2, 220) wrapped up his collegiate career with 151 receptions for 2,166 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, per Sports Reference. During his senior season in 2025, he posted career highs with 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns.

According to Pro Football Focus, Bell earned an 83.3 receiving grade, ranking 20th among all NCAA wide receivers.

"He offers a versatile skill set, capable of playing both outside and in the slot, and has the potential to fill the role Deebo Samuel once played in this offense, providing a major lift to Brock Purdy," Decker added.

While the 49ers could go in several directions in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Decker's mock draft highlights an alternative path. Adding a dynamic wide receiver like Bell could give Purdy another reliable playmaker heading into the 2026 season.

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