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One 49ers insider believes the team will target the offensive side of the ball in the 2026 NFL Draft
The San Francisco 49ers have been hard at work this offseason, but perhaps the most pivotal event on their calendar is still ahead of them. With the 2026 NFL Draft drawing near, the 49ers will have a shot to add some immediate contributors to their team, while also making their roster a bit younger.
San Fran features the oldest offense in the NFL, and while that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, at some point, the team is going to need some new faces to step up and lead the way. With that in mind, team insider David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard believes the front office, led by general manager John Lynch, will attack the offensive side of the ball in the draft.
49ers Expected to Add Several Offensive Players in 2026 NFL Draft
The Niners’ offense is led by proven veterans heading into the 2026 campaign. Brock Purdy is the team’s franchise quarterback, and while he’s only 26 years old, the rest of his star teammates are significantly older. Wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end George Kittle are already in their early 30s, and running back Christian McCaffrey will turn 30 before the start of the new season. Star left tackle Trent Williams will also turn 38 years old in July.
For the most part, these guys are all still producing at a high level, but Father Time waits for no one. Evans is fresh off an injury-riddled 2025 campaign, and Kittle is going to miss time after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the playoffs. McCaffrey and Williams have both battled injuries in recent years, and Williams is once again mired in a contract battle with the 49ers’ front office.
Some new faces are needed to lead the way on offense. Ricky Pearsall appears to be an up-and-coming talent, but beyond him, there isn’t a lot of youth on this unit. Lombardi believes offense will be the Niners’ priority, with their goal being to improve their current team, while also building for the future in the process.
“In a perfect scenario, the 49ers will be able to address those short-term needs with their six picks in this draft — all while attacking their bigger-picture to-do list,” Lombardi wrote. “That involves wide receiver, where Brandon Aiyuk is likely on the way out and Ricky Pearsall is the only other player to have scored a touchdown in a 49ers uniform who’s under contract beyond 2026. And left tackle, where a contractual impasse with aging star Trent Williams remains a question.”
49ers Staring Down the Barrel at a Very Important Draft
GettyGeneral Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to the media during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
As currently constructed, the 49ers are a Super Bowl contender. If they want to remain a contender for years to come, though, they need to continue to draft well. Teams that enjoy the most success are the ones that are able to repeatedly stock their rosters with strong draft classes, so it’s going to be up to the front office to deliver the goods in 2026.
Staying healthy is also a big piece of the puzzle for San Francisco, but there’s only so much you can do in that department. The Niners have stocked their roster with depth so far in free agency, but now, they need to improve the overall talent level of this group in the draft. How the 49ers do in the draft could very well determine just how successful they are when they take the field for the next few years.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is an Email Newsletter Editor & Breaking News Writer at Heavy Sports. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, NESN Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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