The 2025 NFL season has reached its halfway point, and team objectives are starting to take shape. The San Francisco 49ers, despite lacking a star-studded roster, have remained competitive and are on track to earn a postseason berth, though a Super Bowl run still feels like a distant dream.
Talking about the draft may seem premature — and for many teams it is — but the post-trade-deadline period offers a useful glimpse into how front offices might be approaching the upcoming offseason. Here’s a look at who the 49ers are projected to select and where they’re expected to finish the year.
49ers Predicted to Select Trent Williams Replacement in 2026 NFL Draft
The offensive line has been one of the most discussed topics in Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch’s roster-building approach with the 49ers, whose 81.5 offense impact score is No. 9 in the league, per PFSN metrics. While many believe the team has neglected the position, the results show that San Francisco hasn’t struggled nearly as much as expected.
The 49ers rank just 24th in sacks allowed this season, giving up 18 through 10 games. Mac Jones has done a solid job getting the ball out quickly and operating Shanahan’s system with precision, which has helped ease pressure on the offensive line, even though run blocking remains a weakness.
Still, Trent Williams isn’t getting any younger, and this is likely his final NFL season. That should push the 49ers to take a closer look at the position. In Jacob Infante’s latest three-round mock for PFSN, San Francisco is pegged to select Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor with the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Regarding the pick, Infante explained that Williams, despite playing at a respectable level after a rough start to the season, is likely nearing the end of his career. San Francisco would look to Proctor as a developmental prospect with elite physical tools.
“Kadyn Proctor hasn’t been as consistent as one would hope this year, but the upside with him is still palpable. He’s a massive presence with long arms and powerful hands. He’s not just big; he’s coordinated and is able to handle power and maintain an anchor in pass protection,” Infante wrote.
Now in his third college season, Proctor is expected to declare for the upcoming draft. He would be the first offensive lineman drafted by the 49ers since Mike McGlinchey in 2018, marking a shift in how Shanahan and Lynch approach the position.
The 49ers are unlikely to compete for a Super Bowl this season, given the wave of defensive injuries. However, with Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Mykel Williams expected to return early in 2026, the team won’t need to focus on the defensive side of the ball, an area already addressed heavily in the 2025 draft.
