Is it smart to draft a wide receiver in the first round?

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Denzel Boston of the Washington Huskies participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images The San Francisco 49ers have a big decision to make with their first-round pick, with the 2026 NFL Draft coming up in less than a week. At No.

27, there’s a lot of uncertainty with how the board will fall above them, especially with varying projections from a class without many perceived blue-chip prospects. When looking at mock drafts, wide receiver and offensive line have been the two positions mocked most for the 49ers, and it makes sense why. San Francisco has a need at offensive tackle with Trent Williams’s retirement inching closer (and contract situation still unresolved), while the 49ers got older at wide receiver with the additions of Christian Kirk and Mike Evans.

Now, the 49ers have been spending some draft capital on receivers in recent years. They spent a fourth-round pick on Jordan Watkins last offseason. The year before, it was a first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall and a fourth-round pick on Jacob Cowing.

Those three have struggled with injuries early in their NFL careers. If they do draft a receiver at No. 27, it would be the second time in three years that they’ve done so.