49ers get good news on 'ideal' Trent Williams successor in 2026 NFL Draft

49ers get good news on 'ideal' Trent Williams successor in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After a couple of moves this offseason, with the additions of Mike Evans and Osa Odighiquwa, the San Francisco 49ers' top needs entering the draft are clear.

Wide receiver help is still on the table, but an edge rusher and an offensive tackle to be the potential successor to Trent Williams are the other two big needs. And the latter need is one that the 49ers should be able to address in the draft.

James Reber for NFL.com noted that the 49ers' "ideal" option in the 2026 NFL Draft with the 27th pick to be Williams' successor should be available with that pick. That player is Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor.

49ers realistic but 'ideal' option with No. 27 pick is Max Iheanachor

"The 49ers would be wise to use their first draft pick on a successor for Trent Williams, considering the legendary left tackle is in the midst of contract negotiations and approaching his 38th birthday," Reber writes. "Iheanachor, who is less polished than many tackle prospects but has as much upside as any blocker in the class, could be an excellent choice."

The 49ers don't need to land an instant-impact player with the 27th pick. Taking someone like Iheanachor to prepare for life after Williams would be a smart move.

While it would be ideal for the 49ers to have Williams around for one more season, there is still a chance the 49ers will work out a trade with the future Hall of Famer.

In such a scenario, adding a new offensive tackle with the 27th pick would be a no-brainer for San Francisco. But, even if Williams sticks around, this would be a good pick.

Iheanachor is someone who has plenty of upside, but not as much experience as some other linemen in this year's class. He'd be the perfect developmental OT to sit behind Williams for a year and start once the legendary OT parts with the team.

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After running a 4.91-second 40-yard dash during the NFL scouting combine, Iheanachor showed enough athleticism to be someone the 49ers could get excited about.

As is always the question, how likely is it he'd make it to their pick? Reber named Iheanachor as not just the 49ers' "ideal" pick with 27th overall, but also someone who could realistically be available.

If the 49ers get on the clock, and Iheanachor is available, it would not be a surprise, and he'd be a great option to be a successor to Williams in the long-term, and some emergency depth in 2026.

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