49ers find long-term replacement for Trent Williams in NFL mock draft

The San Francisco 49ers addressed one of their biggest concerns this offseason on Monday, as they inked left tackle Trent Williams to a two-year, $50 million extension that ties him to the team through the 2027 season.

Still, as Williams turns 38 next month, the 49ers need to have a long-term plan to protect Brock Purdy's blind side in place sooner rather than later.

The 2026 NFL draft may offer San Francisco a chance to do just that, as ESPN analyst Peter Schrager's predicts that general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will land offensive tackle Caleb Lomu in the first round.

Lomu, 21, was a four-star recruit out of Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona, before committing to the University of Utah. With the Utes, the 6-foot-6 tackle started 24 games on the left side over the last two years and earned All-Big 12 honors in 2025.

With the 49ers giving Williams and Colton McKivitz extensions in the last year, they seem to be all set at tackle for at least this season, but they may be willing to try Lomu on the right side and kick McKivitz into guard. They could also just put the rookie in at guard until he's needed to take over for Williams.

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