Each year, mock drafts project the 49ers to use an early pick on Williams' eventual replacement, and each year, those projections have been wrong. San Francisco has largely avoided using high draft picks on offensive linemen. The last time the 49ers used a first- or second-round pick on an offensive lineman was in 2021, when they selected Aaron Banks in the second round.
The good news is that Williams continues to play at an extremely high level and remains one of the NFL's best offensive linemen. Still, there isn't much confidence right now that a player like Enrique Cruz, whom the 49ers selected in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, will develop into a suitable replacement. Still, Cruz has plenty of time to develop.
Draft analyst Todd McShay of The Ringer released his 2027 NFL mock draft and has the 49ers addressing the long-ignored need by selecting South Carolina offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak with the No. 26 overall pick.
"Peak is an athletic tackle with the quickness and range to excel in the Niners' zone-running scheme," McShay wrote. "He's smooth climbing to linebackers, reacts well to pressure looks, and has enough agility to mirror on the edge. His technique and play strength need refinement, but the tools are there for him to grow into an NFL starter at either tackle spot.
"With Trent Williams nearing the end of a Hall of Fame career, Peak would give San Francisco a developmental successor whose athletic profile fits Kyle Shanahan's offense."
Peak (6-4, 292) earned a career-high 84.1 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus last season at NC State before transferring to South Carolina. However, his run-blocking grade dropped from 75.7 in 2024 to 65.0 in 2025, suggesting he still has room to improve.
The offensive tackle has yet to make his 2026 debut with South Carolina.
"Peak played 39 games and started 32 over four seasons at NC State, including 19 starts at right tackle before moving to left tackle in 2025," McShay added. "He transferred to South Carolina in 2026 but missed spring drills after injuring his leg playing basketball during the offseason."
If Peak continues to develop, he could emerge as a name to watch throughout the 2026 college football season, particularly with the 49ers' long-term outlook at left tackle still uncertain.
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