49ers offensive line gets a desperate facelift in 1st 2026 mock NFL Draft

While the defensive line was the No. 1 priority for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 NFL Draft, it was a little bit of a shock to see general manager John Lynch and Co. not focus much on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

Indeed, the Niners selected just one offensive lineman, guard Connor Colby, and that didn't happen until Round 7. Sure, they may have been honing in other targets but were unable to land them because the draft board simply didn't pan out desirably.

But, still, seeing only one O-lineman taken out of 11 total draft selections was a bit of a surprise.

San Francisco likely gets by with this strategy this season. That said, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams will turn 37 years old later this summer, so his retirement is fast approaching. Right tackle Colton McKivitz is a free agent in 2026, too, and it's hard to envision the 49ers spending anything more than bargain-basement prices to re-sign him. Upgrading center (and getting younger there) over Jake Brendel should be on the radar, and it's not clear who even starts at left guard this season after Aaron Banks left for the Green Bay Packers in free agency.

Those question marks are just at the surface level among the would-be starters.

So, in Niner Noise's first mock draft for 2026, a four-round variety, the Niners reclaim a priority on the O-line needs.

Note: Pro Football Focus' mock-draft widget has San Francisco selecting No. 28 overall.

49ers' 4-round mock NFL Draft for 2026

Round 1, No. 28 overall: OL Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M

Ben Bartch might be the fill-in at left guard, but the 49ers would prefer to find a long-term option who has much more prowess. Plus, positional versatility is never a bad thing either.

Texas A&M's Ar'maj Reed-Adams is a natural guard who can play both sides of the O-line, but he's also adept at tackle if need be with his 6-foot-5, 330-pound frame.

A fit in an outside-zone rushing scheme, Reed-Adams can be a road grader in run support and a stone wall in pass protection, serving as the Niners' long-term answer on the left side at guard.

Round 2, No. 59 overall: C Logan Jones, Iowa

All-Pro tight end George Kittle personally approved the Colby selection, given the two have the same alma mater, Iowa.

So, it'd be hard to ignore what Kittle would do if San Francisco uses its second-round pick on another Hawkeye, this time in the form of center Logan Jones, who'd serve as not only Brendel's long-term replacement but also as a likely day-one upgrade.

Jones, 6-foot-3 and 293 pounds, needs to add some functional strength. But he's an excellent athlete and stems from a system Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan clearly like for their offensive players.

And it helps Jones' football IQ is already top notch, making him a fit for Shanahan's complex offense.

Round 3, No. 92 overall: LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon

The 49ers can hope their third-round selection of linebacker Nick Martin can alleviate the free-agent loss of Dre Greenlaw, since it appears as if third-year pro Dee Winters isn't quite up to the task.

But, if Martin isn't on Greenlaw's level, the Niners would be wise to go after an elite-type of athlete in Oregon's Bryce Boettcher, a name they certainly heard about after spending considerable time at the pro day in Eugene leading up to the 2025 draft.

Boettcher, who doubled in baseball, is 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds and converted from safety, paralleling what San Francisco did with both Greenlaw and All-Pro Fred Warner.

Round 4, No. 128 overall: OT Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M

There's logic grabbing Reed-Adams' previous linemate with the Aggies, left tackle Trey Zuhn III, and it's not just to maintain continuity.

Although that's very helpful.

Zuhn, 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, is a quality run blocker, but his relative light weight for his build makes him susceptible to problems in pass protection, which could be refined with technique and some functional mass.

If the 49ers get two more seasons out of Williams, they can be patient with Zuhn as an eventual replacement once his development at the pro level is complete.

Round 4, No. 134 overall (compensatory): RB Le'Veon Moss, Texas A&M

OK, we're not playing favorites with Texas A&M here even if the draft board is lining up favorably that way.

That said, the Niners are looking at the hard reality of running back Christian McCaffrey's career coming to a close awfully soon. While the 2025 drafting of Oregon's Jordan Jacobs could generate some promise, the stronger likelihood is Shanahan will want another rusher in the 2026 draft.

Enter Aggies tailback Le'Veon Moss, a zone-style runner with one-cut ability and who doesn't mind dishing out some punishment.

Round 4, No. 137 overall (compensatory): OT Nolan Rucci, Penn State

If Zuhn's upside landing spot is at left tackle, then San Francisco's mocked selection of Penn State's Nolan Rucci is for the right side.

Rucci, 6-foot-8 and 317 pounds, needs some help in pass protection and will likely need at least a year at the pro level to refine this element of his game, but his solid movement skills make him an early favorite to support rushes to his side of the field.

At best, he'd be a shoo-in replacement for McKivitz on that side of the line.