The San Francisco 49ers have been closely tied to University of Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu throughout the 2026 NFL draft process. It’s not a bad idea, but a recent seven-round mock draft from NFL Media’s Chad Reuter lays out one scenario where taking an offensive tackle could be a disaster for the 49ers.
It’s less about Lomu as a player and more about who/what they pass up on in the process. The 49ers in Reuter’s mock go with Lomu instead of Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston and Central Florida edge rusher Malachi Lawrence — all of whom are widely projected to go in the first round or early enough in Round 2 to justify a reach at No. 27 overall.
This draft is strange for San Francisco because they do need to eventually find a long-term replacement for left tackle Trent Williams. That’s the role Lomu would conceivably play, but Williams might also play for two or three more seasons which puts Lomu on ice instead of contributing as a first-round pick for most of his rookie contract.
The 49ers are trying to contend in 2026 and their first-round pick figures to be a major contributor to that. Thieneman or McNeil-Warren would likely start on Day 1 at safety, and both player are talented enough to change the complexion of the entire 49ers’ secondary. Boston would give their receiving corps another big-bodied deep threat alongside Mike Evans that would completely change how the 49ers are able to attack opposing defenses through the air this season. Lawrence has the skill set to lift the 49ers’ pass rush on Day 1 and the upside to be a three-down edge defender in the not-so-distant future. All of those players would have a better chance to be impactful this season at positions where the 49ers desperately need help.
Here are all six selections for San Francisco from the NFL Media mock:
Round 1, Pick 27: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Lomu is still just 21 years old with a lot of development ahead of him before he becomes a quality starting left tackle. Perhaps he reaches his ceiling sitting behind Trent Williams, but he won’t be very helpful to San Francisco right away if he’s a backup offensive tackle.
Round 2, Pick 58: WR Germie Bernard, Alabama
This is a fun pick if the 49ers wait on a wide receiver. Bernard seems like a Kyle Shanahan type at the position. He’s good after the catch, tough in the middle of the field, and he logged only four drops in 53 college games. He offers something a little different than Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk and Jordan Watkins.
Round 4, Pick 127: S VJ Payne, Kansas State
Payne has some very interesting measurables for a safety. He’s 6-3, 206 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms. Payne played a ton in college, including 42 starts in 52 games across four years. He finished his career with only 13 pass breakups and four interceptions. It’s not clear if he’d be an immediate upgrade for San Francisco at safety.
Round 4, Pick 133: DE LT Overton, Alabama
It would be interesting if the 49ers waited this long to try and find a defensive end. They need some pop there and finding productive DEs late in Round 4 isn’t easy. Overton may or may not stick on the edge as a pro. He weighed in at 274 at the combine, and then 287 at Alabama’s Pro Day. He finished his college career with seven sacks in 49 games (20 starts). The measurables are there for Overton, but it’s hard to imagine he steps in and makes the impact the 49ers are looking for right away.
Round 4, Pick 138: OT Jude Bowry, Boston College
This feels more like the area the 49ers might take a project offensive lineman. Dane Brugler from the Athletic suggested Bowry might be better off at guard in the pros. The 49ers could bring in Bowry to try out left guard where they have an opening, and then transition him to offensive tackle if it doesn’t work out. His size (6-5, 315 pounds) and athleticism.
Round 4, Pick 139: DT Uar Bernard, International Pathway
The fourth round is probably way too early for an international pathway player, but holy smokes.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers make potentially disastrous 1st-round choice in 7-round mock
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
