The start of free agency has been extremely productive for the San Francisco 49ers. The wide receiver group needed a makeover, and adding Mike Evans and Christian Kirk helps with that issue. Trading for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa gives the 49ers a true pass-rushing threat at defensive tackle. You can expect the 49ers to add more free agents, but on a much lower tier than some of their other moves in the coming weeks.
Now, the question becomes: what is the 49ers’ draft strategy in round one after landing two receivers and a defensive tackle? Late first round is tough to draft a lineman unless one unexpectedly slides and falls into San Francisco’s lap. Perhaps another wide receiver? What about an EDGE rusher to give Nick Bosa a running mate?
Matt Barrows of The Athletic participated in the NFL beat writer 2026 mock draft for the NY Times and gave his prediction for the pick at 27.
27. San Francisco 49ers – Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
The 49ers like taking wide receivers and defensive linemen in the first round and — would you look at that! — those are among their biggest needs this year. We have the team going with Akheem Mesidor, a powerfully built edge rusher who had 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss last season and made his biggest marks against top-end talent in the playoffs. Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was oh-so-tempting at this spot, and it’s entirely possible Kyle Shanahan would be unable to resist snagging him here (the 49ers will host Cooper on a visit next month). The rationale, however, is that there will be more enticing wideouts — Germie Bernard? Ted Hurst? Elijah Sarratt? — than edge rushers available when San Francisco’s on the clock again late in Round 2.
You can bet that Barrows has at least heard about the 49ers’ draft strategy being in the building, so his mentioning Mesidor shouldn’t be brushed aside. While all the focus has been on Rueben Bain, Jr. (rightfully so), it was Mesidor who was a menace in the national championship game against Indiana with constant pressure and two sacks.
With the 49ers at the bottom of the league in sack production, the team should absolutely be in on a disruptive, young EDGE player for Raheem Morris and his defense.
