The San Franciso 49ers are on to the offseason following a lopsided 41-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs. Although a disappointing ending to the season, the Niners can hold their heads up high considering all the injuries they had to endure throughout the 2025 NFL season.
Big props, major credit to head coach Kyle Shanahan for keeping the team intact and finding ways to plug in players to get the job done. Major injuries to the team included Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and tight end George Kittle. Mixed in there was a bit of drama surrounding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
As a team that still found a way to make the playoffs despite a depleted roster and going several games without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers are obviously health and a few key pieces away from making some niners noise in the NFC in 2026.
Could those key pieces come in the 2026 NFL Draft?
In looking at mock drafts via various outlets, two draft predictions stand out, each of which would be major additions who could help solve a couple of the team’s major needs.
NFL.com NFL Mock Draft: 49ers get a new offensive weapon
With Kittles going down with a torn Achilles, there will be concern on whether he makes it back by the start of the 2026 NFL season. With a recovery timeline of 8-9 months, that would mean Kittles returns maybe by late October at the soonest.
That would make Jake Tonges the team’s tight end going into the season. So, is tight end a top concern for the 49ers? In Daniel Jeremiah’s first NFL Mock Draft, the answer is yes as he had the 49ers selecting Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq with the No. 27 overall pick in the draft.
Jeremiah writes:
“Sadiq could go much higher than 27th overall. He’s undersized, but he has outstanding speed and is a competitive blocker. He would be the ultimate chess piece for Kyle Shanahan, giving the coach a hybrid of George Kittle and Kyle Juszczyk.”
If Sadiq falls to 27 this is a great pick for the 49ers. An athletic, playmaking tight end who could be used as a big receiver, Sadiq will remind 49ers fans of Vernon Davis, who the team selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Could they select their next great tight end exactly 20 years late?
The 49ers also have a need at receiver in this draft, so Sadiq’s versatility and receiving skills can help the team as well. Absolutely love this pick for the Niners and both Shanahan and Purdy will have a field day with Sadiq on the field giving the type of mismatches he could present for defenses.
CBS Sports NFL Mock Draft: Niners add quickness in the trenches
On the defensive side of the ball, the 49ers will get both Nick Bosa and 2025 NFL Draft first round pick Mykel Williams back, but the team still needs help along the defensive line. CBS Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer has another player perhaps sliding to the 49ers in Clemson’s Peter Woods who is considered one of the top, if not the top, defensive lineman in the draft.
Brockermeyer writes:
“Peter Woods looks the part and has impressive traits, but he didn't have the season many expected. He still shows good power and leverage against double-teams and flashes quickness on stunts and games.”
Can’t argue with this pick for the 49ers as Woods is a disruptor no matter where he lines up. He also can play off the edge. A trio of Bosa, Williams and Woods would give the 49ers a defensive front that would wreak havoc in the NFC West.
NFL Mocks pick for 49ers at No. 27
NFL Mocks doesn’t see either of those players available at No. 27. Both great picks to fill the needs of the teams. At defensively line, edge rusher or offensive line, there are intriguing prospects in that draft range for the 49ers. But, if the emphasis is on wide receiver, a player NFL Mocks likes for the 49ers is Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion.
With the team likely moving on from Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings pending free agency, the 49ers need another reliable playmaker at wide receiver. In Concepcion, they get a player who is elusive in space, runs great routes and is also a big play waiting to happen as a punt returner. With his 12 touchdowns in 2025, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound receiver can take it to the house whenever and wherever he touches the ball.
As an elite weapon who is great at creating yards after the catch, Concepcion will inject more explosiveness on the field for the 49ers’ offense. If the choice for the 49ers is between Sadiq, Woods or Concepcion, either of the three players would ignite the roster in a different way. If receiver is the biggest need come April, the choice is Concepcion.