The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2026 NFL Draft in an enviable position: without glaring, immediate holes, but with several key areas that could use reinforcement for the long term. With six picks at their disposal, positions like offensive line, wide receiver, and edge rusher are all logical targets to ensure the roster remains a championship contender.

In a fascinating new seven-round mock draft from The Athletic's Dane Brugler, the 49ers' strategy takes a clear offensive slant early on. Brugler projects the Niners to select only two defensive players in the entire class. The most eyebrow-raising move? Waiting until the 138th overall pick to address the edge rusher spot.

This is a curious delay for a team whose pass rush depth is a legitimate question. With stars like Nick Bosa and others working back from significant injuries, adding a dynamic young edge defender earlier seems like a prudent move to sustain the defensive identity that has powered their success.

So, how does Brugler's full mock class for the 49ers shape up? Let's break down the projected picks and the thinking behind them.

With their first selection, Brugler has San Francisco targeting the offensive line. While reports suggest the team may not prioritize a lineman here, selecting the best player available is always sound strategy. A player like this could serve as a high-level successor to a legend like Trent Williams or become a cornerstone for the future of the offensive front.

Next, the mock draft turns to the wide receiver room. Even after adding veterans like Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, the 49ers need to plan for the future. Evans will be 33 when the season starts, and Kirk turns 30 this year. Beyond them and Ricky Pearsall, depth is thin. Adding a productive, physically gifted receiver here would provide a crucial WR3/4 for 2026 with the potential to develop into a primary target.

The third pick addresses the secondary with a cornerback. While you can never have too many quality defensive backs, using a Day 2 selection here might raise some eyebrows given other needs. The projected player brings desirable size and length for the outside, offering solid depth and special teams value from day one.

Finally, the mock addresses the interior offensive line. With a starting spot open at left guard, this selection makes perfect sense. Finding a mauler in the middle rounds to compete for that job would be a savvy move, solidifying the protection for the quarterback and boosting the run game.

Overall, Brugler's mock presents an offense-heavy blueprint that builds for the future. For the 49ers faithful, the debate will center on whether waiting until the later rounds to bolster the pass rush is a gamble worth taking, or if a more balanced approach is needed to keep the roster elite across all phases.