SANTA CLARA, CA — The San Francisco 49ers have their sights set on the 2026 NFL Draft after a free agency period that left several holes unplugged. While the front office continues to navigate the long-term future of veteran tackle Trent Williams, the immediate needs are clear: San Francisco must find immediate contributors at edge rusher, safety, and across the offensive line to keep their Super Bowl window from slamming shut.
The 49ers are famous for finding gems in the middle rounds, and this year’s class offers a few specific fits for Kyle Shanahan’s system. With the draft only weeks away, the buzz around the facility suggests the team is looking for high-motor players who can survive the grueling NFC West. If they hit on these three prospects, they could easily be the difference between another deep playoff run and an early January exit.
Treydan Stukes: The Hybrid Safety Solution
The secondary remains a concern, and Arizona’s Treydan Stukes is a name rising on the 49ers’ big board. Stukes spent most of last season locked in at nickel corner, but scouts see a future for him as a roaming free safety in the NFL. His tackling efficiency and 15% improvement in range over the last year make him a prime candidate for a position switch.
San Francisco’s defensive scheme relies on smart players who can read the quarterback’s eyes. Stukes isn’t the guy you ask to shadow a burner like Amon-Ra St. Brown on an island, but he is a zone-coverage master. He sits in the slot, walls off crossers, and jumps throwing lanes with a level of anticipation that is rare for Day 2 prospects. For a team that plays heavy split-safety looks, Stukes fits like a glove.
Bill Schrauth: Beefing Up the Interior
You can’t talk about the 49ers without talking about the trenches. Notre Dame’s Bill Schrauth is the definition of a “dirt-work” specialist. Standing 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, Schrauth plays with a mean streak that coaches love. He isn’t the most agile lineman in the class, but he brings a heavy punch that stalls interior pass rushers instantly.
The concern with Schrauth has always been durability, but his intangibles are through the roof. He served as a captain for the Irish and possesses the “tough guy” DNA required to play in the San Francisco run game. While he might start his career as a high-end backup, his ability to sustain blocks in a zone-blocking scheme gives him a path to a starting guard spot by 2027.
Mason Reiger: The Third-Down Specialist
Wisconsin’s Mason Reiger is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward edge prospect. He is a lean 250 pounds, which has some scouts worried about his ability to hold the edge against massive NFL tackles. However, his first step is a blur. When Reiger gets to pin his ears back on third-and-long, he transforms into a backfield heat-seeking missile.
The 49ers have a history of rotating defensive linemen to keep them fresh, and Reiger would thrive as a designated pass rusher. His inside spin move is already refined enough to fool veteran blockers. He might struggle at the point of attack on early downs, but his closing speed is something you simply can’t teach. If he can add 15 pounds without losing that twitch, he’s a steal in the fifth round.
“We know the expectations here. It’s Super Bowl or bust every single year. That means the young guys we bring in through this draft have to be ready to hit the grass running. There’s no time for a slow curve.”
— Fred Warner, 49ers Linebacker
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The 49ers are currently projected to have a late first-round pick, but their success often hinges on these middle-round selections. The NFC West is getting faster, and the Seattle Seahawks have significantly improved their offensive line this offseason. To counter, San Francisco needs that cheap, young labor to supplement their expensive stars.
Drafting Stukes would allow the defense to be more creative with their disguises, while Reiger adds the depth needed to keep the pass rush relentless in the fourth quarter. The 49ers always have to battle the injury bug, and building this kind of depth is the only way to ensure they are playing meaningful football in February 2027.
