NFL analyst names this O-lineman an ideal fit for 49ers at No. 27
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 NFL draft is all about timing — the timing of when to draft a player relative to a team's selection. Obviously, it's easier for a team to take the player it wants earlier in the draft when all possibilities are on the table, but picking in the latter half of the first round also offers the chance to draft someone who is more fit-based than just the best player on the board.
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The San Francisco 49ers have the opportunity to do just that with the No. 27 pick in the first round. While there are no clear "needs," per se, that the team needs to address, the 49ers will undoubtably be looking for players who can contribute early as potential fill-ins for aging stars.
James Reber, a research analyst for the NFL's Next Gen Stats, broke down 20 ideal prospect-team fits for the 2026 draft that are actually feasible. So, for instance, he didn't pair Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with a team that will never be able to draft him.
For the 49ers, Reber landed on Arizona State tackle 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. 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. Kyle Shanahan's offense especially requires athleticism from its tackles, and Iheanachor's 4.91-second 40 time, 25 bench reps and 83 1/4-inch wingspan earned him a strong NGS athleticism score of 86. Iheanachor is at his best in the run game, where he could help generate space for 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey after the All-Pro averaged just 0.7 yards before contact per rush (fourth-fewest, min. 200 carries) in 2025.
The 6-foot-6, 321-pounder played right tackle in 859 offensive snaps in 2025, 923 offensive snaps in 2024 and 320 snaps in 2023. Iheanachor played his first two collegiate seasons at East Los Angeles College. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared him to Carolina Panthers star offensive tackle Taylor Moton.
Iheanachor is a future-looking move for the 49ers more than anything. If Williams leaves in 2026, Iheanachor would be the next man up, too. But for an aging roster, it makes sense to add some depth at one of the most important positions on the offense.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL draft: O-lineman named ideal fit for 49ers at No. 27