Many projections continue to link San Francisco to a long-term successor for Trent Williams at left tackle. The 49ers are reportedly still at an impasse in contract negotiations with the All-Pro, who will turn 38 in July. Even if a deal is reached, the need to plan for the future remains.
Here's a look at the latest mock drafts and the prospects connected to San Francisco.
7-round mock draft has 49ers selecting Caleb Lomu
Draft analyst Chad Reuter of NFL.com released a seven-round mock draft projecting the 49ers to select former Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu in Round 1—one of the most commonly mocked players to San Francisco.
"With Trent Williams' contract situation still in flux, let's give the Niners Lomu, who is the top remaining true left tackle prospect," Reuter wrote. "Whatever happens with Williams in the immediate future, the team must prepare a succession plan for the soon-to-be 38-year-old veteran."
Reuter's full seven-round projection includes additional help in the trenches and a unique developmental prospect whose potential path to the NFL is unconventional:
- Round 2, pick 58: WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
- Round 4, pick 127: S VJ Payne, Kansas State
- Round 4, pick 133: Edge LT Overton, Alabama
- Round 4, pick 138: OT Jude Bowry, Boston College
- Round 4, pick 139: DT Uar Bernard, International Player Pathway (IPP)
San Francisco has reportedly shown legitimate interest in Bernard, a defensive lineman who was discovered playing basketball in Nigeria just three years ago before joining the NFL's IPP program.
Another Lomu-to-49ers projection
Jared Dubin of CBS Sports also has the 49ers selecting Lomu at No. 27 in his latest first-round mock draft, viewing the 6-foot-6 offensive lineman as an ideal long-term solution at left tackle.
"Like the Eagles, the 49ers get out ahead of a need here by taking Lomu to be the eventual successor to Trent Williams on the left side of the offensive line," Dubin wrote.
Will pick, could pick, and dark horse options
Jacob Camenker of USA Today outlined three possibilities for each team: a projected pick, an alternative option, and a dark horse candidate.
He believes the 49ers will pick former Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell.
"The 49ers spent a 2025 first-round pick on Mykel Williams, but that won't prevent them from adding a player like Howell," Camenker wrote. "San Francisco had the second-lowest pressure rate last season while Howell posted 11.5 sacks during his final season at Texas A&M."
As an alternative, Camenker points to former Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, while identifying former Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon as a potential dark horse.
"Addressing the offensive line is another option for the 49ers," Camenker noted. "Iheanachor is a raw-but-talented tackle who could be an ideal replacement for Trent Williams. Meanwhile, Pregnon would be a plug-and-play left guard option for San Francisco."
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