As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the 49ers are once again leaning into a familiar philosophy—one rooted in positional value, roster balance, and trusting their developmental pipeline.
Holding the No. 27 overall pick along with a cluster of selections on Day 3, the 49ers are positioned to add talent, but according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, don’t expect a dramatic shift in how they build their roster.
During an interview with Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys, Barrows made it clear that San Francisco’s approach—especially when it comes to the offensive line—differs from how many fans evaluate the roster.
“They just think that the difference between a playmaker you can get in round one, say, a wide receiver, is so much greater than the playmaker you can get in round four or five, versus that same discrepancy between offensive linemen that you get at the end of the first round versus you can get on day three.”
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers during rookie training camp at the SAP Performance Facility on May 12, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.
(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
More on the 49ers’ NFL Draft Plan
That philosophy has defined the 49ers under Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. While fans often clamor for early offensive line help, the organization prioritizes premium positions early and fills the trenches later.
“They don’t think that the gap between that guy and the round four guys is all that great,” Barrows said. “So that’s where they put their emphasis. That’s where they put their resources.”
This explains why San Francisco has consistently invested early picks in wide receivers, pass rushers, and defensive playmakers, while relying on mid-to-late round picks—or even undrafted players—to build out the offensive line.
Barrows emphasized that this isn’t accidental—it’s philosophical.
“You can disagree with it,” Barrows said. “Some of the successful teams these days are built on offensive lines… so it’s just a difference in philosophy.”
Instead, the 49ers are betting on scheme and coaching to elevate less-heralded linemen, a strategy that traces back to Shanahan’s roots.
“With Kyle Shanahan, you can go back to his dad’s Denver Broncos teams that had a lot of sort of anonymous players along the offensive line,” Barrows continued. “And yet those lines, their rushing attacks, were really good.”
Beyond philosophy, roster construction and depth will also shape the 49ers’ draft approach. Barrows pointed to the defensive line as a key area where internal development is just as important as adding new talent.
“That’s where they’re hoping for the most growth,” Barrows said. “They’re hoping for their second round pick last year… and their fourth round pick… to make big leaps this year.”
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to the media during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
At the same time, the need for reinforcements remains.
“They may end up drafting another young guy at that spot… they like to rotate those guys in, have four really good players.”
That emphasis on rotation and depth—particularly in the trenches—aligns with how the 49ers approach the later rounds, where they hold four compensatory picks in Round 4 alone.
Ultimately, Barrows’ insight reinforces that the 49ers won’t chase needs in a traditional sense. Instead, they’ll stick to their board, trust their evaluations, and continue building around high-impact positions early.
Check out the full interview with The Athletic’s Matt Barrows by scrolling to the top of the page or by clicking here.
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