Can the 49ers afford to draft a player in the first round who won’t start immediately?

The San Francisco 49ers have the 27th pick in the first round with several apparent needs for the roster. Wide receiver, EDGE rushers, and offensive linemen come to mind, although linemen have eyes on the future. The 49ers need to figure out what life without Trent Williams will look like, and left guard and center need permanent solutions moving forward.

This roster is in win-now mode. The draft is important for the 49ers to add instant, young, cheap talent. What if the 49ers’ first-round pick isn’t someone who will take snaps in 2026?

There is only one real way this scenario works. If the 49ers can snag someone like T Max Iheanachor in the first round, the second pick needs to be an EDGE rusher who will be on the field in 2026 or a receiver who will see snaps, but prepare for a bigger role. This won’t work if the 49ers select an EDGE rusher who needs massive development and is a year away in the first round.

One of the first two picks for the 49ers has to step on the field. There are a few options in the fourth round for the 49ers if they want to wait on a developmental lineman. EDGE rushers have the best chance to “start” or take meaningful snaps immediately. Any receiver is still behind Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and Christian Kirk. If a lineman is taken in the first round for the future, the 49ers have to be sure the player will develop and can’t miss.

Depending on how the board shakes out, one of the first two picks has to be an EDGE rusher. With only six picks, the 49ers can’t afford to wait for players, but if they do, it should be for a lineman who has a solid floor and high upside.