It's far too early to predict what the San Francisco 49ers might do in next year's NFL Draft. However, that hasn't stopped several media outlets from releasing 2026 mock drafts, capitalizing on the buzz and excitement lingering from this year's event.
Some of these early projections finally have the 49ers addressing a position they overlooked in the 2025 NFL Draft—offensive tackle. It's still an area of need, with the team likely seeking an upgrade over Colton McKivitz and a long-term successor to Trent Williams, who turns 37 ahead of the 2025 season.
Other mock drafts have San Francisco reinforcing its secondary, a move many anticipated the team would make earlier in this year's draft.
However, Seth Trachtman of Yardbarker envisions a different route in his "way-too-early" 2026 mock draft. He has the 49ers selecting South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor in the first round. Trachtman slots San Francisco at No. 27 overall, a pick likely based on current Super Bowl odds, as several mock drafts place the team in a similar range.
"Wideout has been a focus of the 49ers, re-signing Brandon Aiyuk and drafting Ricky Pearsall last year, yet they could still revamp the position after trading Deebo Samuel," Trachtman wrote. "Harbor has yet to produce for the Gamecocks, but shows huge upside at 6-foot-5 with track and field speed."
While Harbor's college production has been modest—just 571 receiving yards and four touchdowns over two seasons—his athletic upside is intriguing. Additionally, Pro Football Focus stats show he had only one drop on 42 targets last season, hinting at his potential reliability as a pass-catcher.
Interestingly, like Samuel, Harbor hails from South Carolina. But comparisons between the two might stop there. Harbor is a much bigger target, standing two inches taller than Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, and would easily become the tallest player in the 49ers' receiver room.
