The San Francisco 49ers’ 2025 season demonstrated the clear need the team has for more depth in almost every part of their roster. The season was filled with every kind of injury possible, with all their top players being out of the field at one point or another.
In particular, the offensive line showed its weakness and its inability to protect Brock Purdy and Mac Jones properly. The team’s secondary also showed some weaknesses. Here’s a list of players they could take in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft to address these issues.
Best Fits for San Francisco in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft
Caleb Lomu – Utah
Lomu is considered one of the top athletes in the 2026 NFL Draft class, and he also helps San Francisco fill in their biggest need for this year’s draft: The offensive line. Lomu has played for two seasons with Utah (He redshirted in his freshman year), and he was a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2025 and a Freshman All-America in 2024. The one problem for Utah is that the Los Angeles Rams are also interested in him, and they have the No. 13 pick in the draft.
Spencer Fano – Utah
Another Utah offensive lineman, and in this case, a more accomplished one in college. He was the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2025, and he was twice an All-American, a First Team selection in 2024, and a Unanimous selection in 2025. In his first season e was a Freshman All-American.
The problem here is the same as above, as he’s expected to be a top 15 pick, and the Rams are likely debating themselves between Lomu and Fano. Whoever slips could potentially reach the 49ers at the bottom of the first round.
Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
As the plethora of injuries suffered throughout the 2025 season showed, the San Francisco 49ers need more depth in almost every important unit of the roster. Cashius Howell could fill in that role behind veteran Nick Bosa.
Howell comes from a crowning season with Texas A&M in 2025, in which he won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was named a First Team All-SEC and a Unanimous All-American selection. He’s also squarely inside the range of the 49ers in the draft, being expected to be picked between the 25th and 32nd spot of the draft.
Akheem Mesidor – Miami Hurricanes
Mesidor is another option to add depth to the defensive ends of San Francisco. Despite being less accomplished than Howell at the collegiate level, he’s considered more pro-ready than the Aggies star. He’s a bit of a reach for the 49ers, but a realistic one, as he’s expected to fall somewhere between No. 15 and No. 25.
If he somehow slips, it’s easy to see the Bay Area team grabbing him in the No. 27 spot. Mesidor was a Second Team All-American and a First Team All-ACC selection in 2025.
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