49ers mailbag: Could offensive lineman tempt them to wait on edge rusher?
SANTA CLARA – Hard to believe it’s been over 20 years since the 49ers bestowed the No. 1 overall pick on Alex Smith inside a New York City convention center. The draft has since ballooned into a traveling carnival, with everyone an expert in that circus, although enough questions persist for this pre-draft mailbag:
Knowing that the 49ers traditionally do not pick OL in earlier rounds, would you be surprised if they took a LG with their first? (@0Dang)
Left guard is the only open spot on the 49ers' starting offense, so solving that riddle with the No. 27 overall pick wouldn't be too stunning. For example, Caleb Lomu literally could learn at the foot of Trent Williams before shifting over and succeeding him at left tackle. But you're right, a first-round guard is a stretch that either results in a boom (Mike Iupati, 2010) or bust (Joshua Garnett, 2016).
Defensive end or offensive tackle? That's the question! (@wojaen19)
Depends who is left at No. 27. More likely to find a defensive end there than a long-term bookend at offensive line.
Who do you want? (@kevin_williams49)
An edge rusher. But not those bandied about in the general mock-draft populous. My radar locked in this week on Illinois' Gabe Jacas. Don't fret about him being a Day 2 prospect. He's got the speed, size, production, underdog stature and character as an ideal fit for the 49ers' defense, so get him in the first round and get on with other needs.
Based on the edge Raheem (Morris) drafted in Atlanta, will the Niners pick smaller speed rushers? (@thejerryhsu)
It's not so much about Morris taking over as defensive coordinator and finding a defensive end who's fluid enough to drop into coverage like an outside linebacker. The 49ers need a pass rusher to complement a unit that's somewhat saturated with versatile defensive ends who can shift inside on passing downs (see: Mykel Williams, Keion White). Plus, Bryce Huff's abrupt retirement last month meant they lost a smaller speed rusher.
Do the 49ers need help at running back to support CMC, via the draft or free agency? (@vinnievidivici)
Sure. The 49ers always need multiple running backs. Except last season, when Christian McCaffrey started all 19 games and led the NFL in touches while almost pulling off the 1,000-yard rushing/receiving double-double. With RB2 Brian Robinson gone to Atlanta, the supporting-actor role falls to Jordan James (or Isaac Guerendo or Patrick Taylor Jr.). The 49ers' draft history since 2017 doesn't ooze confidence: Joe Williams (2017, fourth round), Trey Sermon (2021, third), Elijah Mitchell (2021, sixth), Ty Davis-Price (2022, third), Guerendo (2024, fourth) and James (2025, fifth). Bring on the next fourth-rounder!
Should the 49ers draft a tight end? (@azzo1950)
They're not as desperate as it seemed they might be in January when George Kittle's Achilles popped. Kittle's recovery is going so well that a September comeback is in play. And Jake Tonges proved a sure-handed fill-in last season. They've tried but failed to find Kittle's ideal successor or complement: Kaden Smith (2019, sixth), Charlie Woerner (2020, sixth), Cam Latu (2023, third round), and Brayden Willis (2023, seventh); Woerner blocked well but had no touchdowns in four seasons.
Which, if any, 49ers players will likely be moved during the draft? (@michael_budd)
Quarterback Mac Jones is the only one who'd command, perhaps, a Day 2 draft pick. Otherwise, the 49ers have Brandon Aiyuk and a few reserves who could moved, similar to the 2020 Day 3 unloading of Matt Breida and Marquise Goodwin. Cornerback Renardo Green, linebacker Dee Winters, safety Ji'Ayir Brown, and Guerendo lack long-term commitments from the 49ers
What's the outlook for Kurtis Rourke? (@jbernal90)
If Jones unexpectedly gets dealt, Rourke becomes QB2, something the 49ers already would be comfortable enough with to export Jones. Rourke, a 2025 seventh-rounder, squeezed in three weeks of practice at the end of his rookie season as a final step of his comeback from an ACL tear that didn't derail his senior season success at Indiana.
Do the Niners already have a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher in Nick Martin?
Martin, a third-rounder out of Oklahoma State, only played 12 defensive snaps as a 49ers rookie and missed the final two months in concussion protocol. True, he had six sacks in 2023 in college. But I doubt the 49ers envision him as a 5-foot-11, 221-pound hybrid threat, when he couldn't even get on the field in their linebacker crisis last season.
Why not just pull the trigger on Joey Bosa? It’s a boost to the energy of the defense and the Bosa bros. It’s an all-in year, so why not just pull the trigger? (@JohnGer24430535)
For real! Even though John Lynch has repeatedly downplayed a Joey Bosa signing, he wouldn't help the 49ers' leverage (or finances) by admitting a full-on pursuit. I'm siding with Cheryl Bosa and dreaming of a brothers reunion, until it's officially squashed like past years.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 5:17 AM.