The San Francisco 49ers need to address multiple positions in Thursday’s NFL Draft, such as offensive line, wide receiver, and edge rusher. But they only have six draft picks, which include their No. 27, No. 58, No. 127, No. 133, No. 138, and No. 139 overall.
One way to acquire more draft picks is to trade down in the NFL Draft. ESPN NFL Insider, Adam Schefter, “would not be surprised if the 49ers trade out of the (No. 27) spot.” The 49ers could acquire multiple draft picks depending on how low in the draft they drop.
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch Addresses the NFL Draft
The 49ers stayed put in last year’s draft and selected defensive end Mykel Williams with the No. 11 pick. But now with the No. 27 pick, the 49ers could look to trade down in a draft that many think lacks top-end talent but is made up for by its depth.
Lynch told reporters earlier today that the “49ers had first-round grades on roughly 20 players and had 200 draftable players. The overall number is roughly the same, but the first-round number is down.”
If this were the case, it would make sense for the 49ers to trade their No. 27 pick to stock up on picks outside of the first round.
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)
Positions the 49ers Could Address in the Draft
The 49ers have made plenty of moves this offseason. They traded their 2026 third-round pick for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the Dallas Cowboys to help a defensive line that was last in the league in sacks. But the 49ers still have a clear need at defensive end. They lost both starting edge rushers, Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, to season-ending injuries last season. Williams might not be healthy by Week 1. Bryce Huff also announced his retirement after leading the 49ers with 4 sacks.
Both Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk are not going to be a part of the 49ers’ receiver core next season. But San Francisco went out and signed wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk to pair with Ricky Pearsall. However, the 49ers lack receiver depth, and both Evans and Pearsall missed time last season with injuries.
Even after giving All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams a 2-year, $50 million contract extension, Adam Schefter thinks the 49ers still need an offensive tackle. The 49ers have an opening at left guard after starting left guard Spencer Burford left in free agency. Many have the 49ers taking an offensive lineman early in their mock drafts.
Lynch said it’s a deep draft at defensive end, offensive line, and receiver, and the 49ers are going to “just let this thing come to us” when they pick at No. 27.
Adam Schefter ‘Not Surprised’ if 49ers Trade Down