Sportsvival is full force into scouting for the 2026 NFL Draft, and the San Francisco 49ers are another late first-round team that still feels like it has real work to do. San Francisco owns the No. 27 overall pick, and while this is still a roster with playoff expectations, the offseason made it clear that the 49ers are balancing two jobs at once: trying to stay dangerous right now while also replenishing spots that have started to thin out.
49ers offseason additions
San Francisco did not sit still. The 49ers added major veteran help with Mike Evans and Christian Kirk at wide receiver, Nate Hobbs at corner, Dre Greenlaw at linebacker, Vederian Lowe and Brett Toth up front, Robert Jones on the interior, and Corliss Waitman at punter. They also made one of the bigger defensive swings of the offseason by trading for defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa, a move that cost them their original third-round pick. The 49ers also retained pieces such as Luke Gifford, Sam Okuayinonu, Patrick Taylor Jr., Eddy Piñeiro, and Jon Weeks.
Key departures
There were losses too, and some of them matter. Spencer Burford is gone, and that immediately keeps offensive line near the top of the draft conversation. The free-agent list also included Jauan Jennings, Ben Bartch, Clelin Ferrell, Kevin Givens, Yetur Gross-Matos, Curtis Robinson, Thomas Morstead, and Trent Taylor, while Brian Robinson Jr. signed elsewhere and Bryce Huff retired. For a team still trying to contend, that is enough roster drain to make this draft important even from the back half of Round 1.
The top 3 49ers needs
1. Offensive line
This still feels like the biggest need. Burford’s departure opened up the left guard conversation, and the long-term picture is just as important as the short-term one. Trent Williams and Jake Brendel are both deep into their 30s, and San Francisco needs young blockers who can help now while also becoming part of the next version of this offensive front.
2. Edge rusher
The 49ers have to find more juice off the edge. Last season’s defense was hit hard by injuries, and the production dropped with it. San Francisco finished with only 20 sacks, tied for the fewest in a season since 2022, and the pressure rate was near the bottom of the league. Huff’s retirement only sharpened that need. Even if Nick Bosa bounces back strong, this defense still needs another wave player who can threaten the pocket.
3. Wide receiver
The additions of Evans and Kirk help immediately, but receiver still makes sense as an early investment. The 49ers lost bodies there, and this is a spot where the offense can keep getting younger and more explosive. San Francisco’s own draft coverage has already connected the team to wideouts who can create after the catch and bring return value, which tells you exactly what kind of skill set this staff is looking for.
The Sportsvival pick at No. 27: WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
This feels like a clean 49ers fit. KC Concepcion is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior wide receiver from Texas A&M who previously starred at NC State, and his game lines up with what San Francisco has long valued at the position: burst, quick separation, yards-after-catch ability, motion versatility, and added special-teams value. Texas A&M lists him as a receiver, but his background and usage show a player who can be moved around and featured creatively.
Just as important, San Francisco has already been publicly tied to him as an offensive fit. In the team’s own combine coverage, Concepcion was highlighted as one of the best early matches for this offense because of what he does with the ball in his hands and the fact that he can impact the game as a punt returner, too. That matters for a 49ers offense that is at its best when it can turn short touches into chunk plays.
Concepcion also arrives with real production and recognition behind him. He won the 2025 Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the most versatile player in major college football. That kind of profile makes a lot of sense for a team like San Francisco, which has always liked offensive pieces that can be moved around and stressed onto a defense in different ways.