49ers News: The real March Madness is in these endless mock drafts

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 02: General manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with Trent Williams #71 after an NFL football game at SoFi Stadium on October 02, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images Report: 49ers won’t exercise Trent Williams’ $10M bonus amid contract standoff “Williams’ salary cap number now will grow to close to $47 million, but the team is not overly concerned about it,” Schefter wrote, “and it still is planning to rework his contract before next month’s NFL Draft. ” Barrows: 49ers NFL Draft big board: Edges, wideouts, tackles — and more — who fit the SF profile (paywall) “ After drafting a sturdy, pocket-collapsing defensive end last season in Mykel Williams, the 49ers — last in sacks in 2025 — need to find a pass-rush specialist.

Perhaps the archetype is the Los Angeles Rams’ Byron Young, a third-rounder in 2023 when new 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris held the same role with the Rams. Round 1: Cashius Howell, Texas A&M. If his arms were an inch and half longer, there’d be no way he drops this far (27th pick).

He’s quick, elastic and productive, and he looks comfortable when asked to drop into coverage. Others: Akheem Mesidor, Miami; Zion Young, Missouri; T. J.

Parker, Clemson; R. Mason Thomas, Oklahoma Round 2: Jaishawn Barham, Michigan. Barham mostly played inside linebacker at Michigan but has the traits — length, speed, aggression — to be a versatile chess piece, including as an edge rusher.