Many projections have the 49ers using their top selections on an offensive tackle to eventually succeed Trent Williams, who turns 38 before the season, or an edge rusher to bolster a defensive front that recorded a league-low 20 sacks in 2025.
Edholm, however, projects a different approach, with San Francisco targeting two alternate positions with picks No. 27 and No. 58 overall.
In the first round, Edholm has the 49ers selecting former Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, who recently visited Santa Clara as part of the team's top-30 visits.
"Boston might not be the next Mike Evans," Edholm wrote, "but there's overlap in their games, and the rookie can follow around one of the best vets ever to do it before taking Evans' spot in San Francisco in a year or two.
"Is receiver the most glaring need? That's debatable, but the fit felt right -- and like something the 49ers would do."
In the second round, Edholm projects the 49ers selecting former Kentucky offensive guard Jalen Farmer.
Assuming the contract standoff with Williams is eventually resolved, left guard remains the only unsettled spot along the 49ers' offensive line. Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford both departed in free agency, leaving an opening in the starting lineup.
San Francisco has second-year lineman Connor Colby, who played 447 snaps at left guard as a rookie, and added veteran Robert Jones. The two are expected to compete for the starting role, though the team could further bolster the group through the draft.
"We'll have a number of guys in that (competition), and hopefully, we'll add someone in the draft to do that too," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week. "You never can guarantee that, but when we get to OTAs, hopefully, we have a number of guys fighting for that spot."
Edholm views Farmer as a strong fit for that competition, writing, "They also could use an influx of athleticism on the O-line, and Farmer brings that as a quality run blocker and interesting project."
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