49ers Prepare for Roster Shakeup in Way-Too-Early 2026 Mock Draft

We are hardly two months away from the 2025 NFL regular season getting underway, and the new batch of rookies is likely just now getting comfortable in their new habitats before strapping up their boots for training camp in just under a month.

Free agents are signing contracts. Hobbled players are rehabbing their injuries. And the healthy bunch are either working out ahead of next season or lounging on a beach for vacation.

For the San Francisco 49ers, there has been a little bit of everything. Brock Purdy and Fred Warner are raking in heavy new contracts. Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey are recovering from the frustrating injuries they endured last season. And George Kittle is living it up with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at his Tight End University event on the party-hungry streets of Nashville.

Despite their injury-riddled and disappointing 6-11 2024 season, there is a lot of excitement around this Niners roster as they've prioritized health and re-signing impactful players.

While we wait for the season to get underway, Pro Football Network has released a "way-too-early" 2026 NFL Mock Draft. A casual peek may not say much - as these college kids haven't played their upcoming season either - but a more critical deep dive could project where the teams will be a little under a year from now.

PFN predicts San Francisco to have the No. 25 pick 

With their first mock pick, the 49ers select Auburn offensive tackle Xavier Chaplin. 49ers superstar Trent Williams is still alive and well, but this could be a setup for the future, says the site:

"Xavier Chaplin possesses the length and physical play style to be an impactful starting offensive lineman in the NFL. As Trent Williams ages out, an heir to his position should be on the San Francisco 49ers’ radar for this draft."

Williams is about to turn 37 years old. He's vowed that he thinks he can play until he's 40. But better, ... he wants to. His contract covers the next two seasons, making him a free agent in 2027 just before he turns 40.

San Fran won't be in the need for a left tackle until then, but maybe Chaplin could get some snaps on the right side instead of Colton McKivitz in order to prime him to eventually replace Williams.

In the second round, the Niners are mocked to take LSU wide receiver Barion Brown at No. 57 overall.

Amid Aiyuk's recovery, trade rumors continue to swirl - however ridiculous and redundant they may be. Through it all, the 49ers have maintained that they are committed to keeping Aiyuk (and not just because he has three years left on his $120 million contract).

This theatrical situation could continue to spiral in an unfortunate way for the Niners this season as Aiyuk nears a return right around the trade deadline. The performance of other receivers like Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall will be closely monitored in Aiyuk's absence to determine if the team should take another swing in the draft.

Choosing a receiver from the Bayou is usually a safe bet. Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas and DJ Chark are just a few LSU alums over the last decade to make an impact in the NFL.

In the final round of this mock draft, San Francisco takes Indiana edge rusher Mikail Kamara.

It is another position where the 49ers seem covered for now, but you can never have too many pass rushers, especially when this year's performance is still weighing in the balance.

First-round pick this year Mykel Williams can be a force next to perennial Pro Bowler Nick Bosa in the best-case scenario, but some pundits believe he also has "disappointment potential".

Regardless of what happens leading up to the 49ers' Week 1 on Sept. 9, fans will learn a lot about their team this season and where they might stand heading into the next NFL Draft.