Sports
Perez, Quatraro clear air about 'mental breather'
Salvador Perez and manager Matt Quatraro clear the air after social media drama.
ESPN News1 min read
NFL
49ers make potentially disastrous 1st-round choice in 7-round mock
TL;DR
The San Francisco 49ers are linked to offensive tackle Caleb Lomu in the 2026 NFL draft, but a mock draft suggests this choice could be a mistake. Opting for Lomu may mean missing out on key players like safety Dillon Thieneman and wide receiver Denzel Boston, who could provide immediate impact.
Key points
- 49ers linked to Caleb Lomu in 2026 NFL draft
- Mock draft suggests Lomu could be a poor choice
- Potentially missing out on impactful players
- Need for immediate contributors at safety and wide receiver
- Long-term replacement for Trent Williams is necessary
Caleb LomuDillon ThienemanEmmanuel McNeil-WarrenDenzel Boston
The San Francisco 49ers have been closely tied to University of Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu throughout the 2026 NFL draft process. It's not a bad idea, but a recent seven-round mock draft from NFL Media's Chad Reuter lays out one scenario where taking an offensive tackle could be a disaster for the 49ers.
It's less about Lomu as a player and more about who/what they pass up on in the process. The 49ers in Reuter's mock go with Lomu instead of Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston and Central Florida edge rusher Malachi Lawrence — all of whom are widely projected to go in the first round or early enough in Round 2 to justify a reach at No. 27 overall.
This draft is strange for San Francisco because they do need to eventually find a long-term replacement for left tackle Trent Williams. That's the role Lomu would conceivably play, but Williams might also play for two or three more seasons which puts Lomu on ice instead of contributing as a first-round pick for most of his rookie contract.
The 49ers are trying to contend in 2026 and their first-round pick figures to be a major contributor to that. Thieneman or McNeil-Warren would likely start on Day 1 at safety, and both player are talented enough to change the complexion of the entire 49ers' secondary. Boston would give their receiving corps another big-bodied deep threat alongside Mike Evans that would completely change how the 49ers are able to attack opposing defenses through the air this season. Lawrence has the skill set to lift the 49ers' pass rush on Day 1 and the upside to be a three-down edge defender in the not-so-distant future. All of those players would have a better chance to be impactful this season at positions where the 49ers desperately need help.
Here are all six selections for San Francisco from the NFL Media mock:
Round 1, Pick 27: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
Lomu is still just 21 years old with a lot of development ahead of him before he becomes a quality starting left tackle. Perhaps he reaches his ceiling sitting behind Trent Williams, but he won't be very helpful to San Francisco right away if he's a backup offensive tackle.
Round 2, Pick 58: WR , Alabama
Q&A
Why could selecting Caleb Lomu be a mistake for the 49ers?
Selecting Caleb Lomu may be a mistake because it could mean passing on immediate contributors like safety Dillon Thieneman and wide receiver Denzel Boston, who are projected to impact the team right away.
Who are the top players the 49ers might miss by choosing Lomu?
By choosing Lomu, the 49ers might miss out on top players like Dillon Thieneman, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Denzel Boston, and Malachi Lawrence, all of whom are projected to be impactful in their rookie seasons.
What position does Caleb Lomu play and why is it significant?
Caleb Lomu plays offensive tackle, a significant position as the 49ers need a long-term replacement for Trent Williams, but his selection may not address immediate team needs.
How does the 2026 NFL draft affect the 49ers' chances to contend?
The 2026 NFL draft is crucial for the 49ers as their first-round pick is expected to be a major contributor to their playoff aspirations, making the choice of player critical.
