Despite an eventful free agency period for the 49ers, San Francisco still has a few positional needs it should address during the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
In Mel Kiper’s latest 2026 NFL mock draft, the 49ers add a couple of depth pieces to their offensive and defensive lines with their first two selections.
27. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
“The 49ers are still working toward a resolution with Trent Williams on his contract situation, but this pick works regardless of the outcome,” Kiper wrote. “Iheanachor started 31 games in college, has long 33⅞-inch arms and is quick out of his set.
“But he’s also relatively new to football, having never played before 2022. He could use a little time to develop before eventually becoming the guy.”
58. Gabe Jacas, DE, Illinois
“The Niners were down Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams last season, and their respective returns will do wonders to the edge rush,” Kiper wrote.
“But there’s no getting around the team’s 20 sacks last season, by far the lowest total in the league. Jacas had 11 sacks last season; he would at the very least provide depth in case starters go down again.”
Across 484 pass-blocking snaps for the Sun Devils, Iheanachor did not allow a single sack and only allowed three quarterback hits and 14 pressures during the 2025 season.
Iheanachor’s elite pass protection throughout his senior year earned him 2025 All-Big 12 Second Team honors.
Adding the Los Angeles native would not only add depth to the 49ers’ offensive line but also would act as a security blanket if Trent Williams and San Francisco are unable to finalize a contract resolution.
Meanwhile, Jacas would also be a solid depth piece who could help a 49ers defensive line that mightily struggled during the 2025 season. Standing at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds, Jacas has the level of physicality and aggressiveness that San Francisco’s defense would benefit from.
The edge rusher also earned All-Big Ten honors for his senior campaign in 2025, being sixth in the nation with his 11 sacks.
With these two selections, San Francisco would address two of their biggest positional needs entering the 2026 NFL Draft, but only time will tell which direction the 49ers will go once they are on the clock on April 23.