Could the 49ers draft heavy at OL this year after going DL in 2025?

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 17: Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks during the second quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers had a defense-focused draft in the 2025 NFL Draft, taking five straight defenders to kick off the three-day event. Among that group were three defensive linemen: first-round pick Mykel Williams, second-round pick Alfred Collins, and fourth-round pick C.J. West.

All three played meaningful roles for the 49ers in 2025. Williams was essentially a starter the entire season before suffering a torn ACL. Collins shook off a slow start to the season and became a regular in the rotation as the year went along. West battled a few injuries, but still saw a high snap count this season on a depleted 49ers defensive line.

Each player will likely have a key role for the 49ers in 2026, as the team looks to get stronger in several areas. Defensive line could still be a priority if the 49ers find a difference-maker at defensive tackle, but the team could flip things around and go trench-heavy on the offensive side of the ball in the 2026 NFL Draft.

San Francisco doesn't need to make wholesale changes along the offensive line. But, at some point, they need a replacement for Trent Williams at a premium position. The team could also look for a replacement at guard, with Spencer Burford being a free agent.

In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Matt Miller drafted an offensive lineman for the 49ers at No. 27, taking Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu.

Is this the year we finally see the 49ers draft the heir apparent toTrent Williamsat left tackle? The future Hall of Famer will be in his age-38 season in 2026, meaning retirement could come in the near future," Miller wrote. Lomu started the past two seasons at left tackle, moving Spencer Fano to the right side in the process. Lomu hasn't given up a sack since 2024 and has surrendered only three in his career. The 6-foot-6 308-pounder is an easy mover with the reactive agility to thrive in the 49ers' outside zone scheme. He also has the frame to keep adding muscle and strength."

Miller's mock draft went two rounds deep, and he stuck with the offensive line in the second round at No. 54, taking Iowa center Logan Jones.

We'll stick with OL for the 49ers, who need to fill multiple holes up front if they want to remain a Super Bowl contender," Miller said. Jones is a plug-and-play starter with the agility to thrive in Kyle Shanahan's scheme."

With Jake Brendel entrenched at center, it's unclear where Jones would start as a plug-and-play starter, but the 49ers do need guard help and getting younger along the offensive line could be a priority.

When you look at the 49ers starting offensive line from 2025, three players were drafted by the team, but none were first or second-round picks. Spencer Burford was a former fourth-round pick starting at left guard. Dominick Puni was a third-round pick starting at right guard. And Colton McKivitz was a fifth-round pick who had been cut before.

So this would be a deviation from how they've drafted recently, but the 49ers have taken Aaron Banks and Mike McGlinchey in the first two rounds earlier in Kyle Shanahan's tenure. There are a lot of possibilities for the draft this offeason.