We reviewed Dane Brugler’s top 100 players in the Athletic and combed through a series of mock drafts to find the players who aren’t likely to go 27th overall.
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In searching for the 49ers’ dream prospects, we try to grasp a thread of reality. There’s very little chance any of these players fall to San Francisco at pick No. 27. Some won’t even come close to the range where the 49ers could move for them. Players like running back Jeremiyah Love and defensive end David Bailey project as top-five options. We left out those types of players.
However, strange things happen in the NFL draft and one unexpected pick could set off a domino effect that lands the 49ers another premium prospect they were never expected to have access to.
Here are six prospects who stand out as dream options for the 49ers in the 2026 draft:
1. WR Jordyn Tyson, ASU
There is a wide range of opinions on how early Tyson will go in this year’s draft, but his size, movement skills and toughness would quickly make him a top target in the 49ers’ passing game.
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2. FROM Rubén Bain, Miami
Bain should probably get in the bucket with players like Love and Bailey. However, this is our list and we will do what we want with it. If the 49ers were to pick 15th instead of 27th, Bain is a player they could try to trade for. He’s a three-down defensive end who plays with a nasty, violent style that the 49ers front office would quickly fall in love with. He would improve the 49ers defensive front on Day 1.
3. TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
It’s unclear if the 49ers would view Sadiq as a “dream” target given the position he plays. It’s also hard to imagine how a strong blocker with legitimate ability to stretch the field in the passing game wouldn’t be a good fit and eventually replace George Kittle as an All-Pro caliber tight end.
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4. WR Makai Limón, USC
Lemon’s draft stock is falling for some teams, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 49ers may be one of the teams trying to make him slide. The projected top-15 pick is excellent at creating separation and his ability to impact the passing game at all three levels would give the 49ers a real chance to immediately replace Brandon Aiyuk.
5. O.T. Monroe Freeling, Georgia
The 49ers may not consider any of this year’s offensive tackles a “dream” target. If they do, it’s easy to see why Freeling would be that player. He’s 6-7, 315 pounds and moves like a tight end. Sitting behind left tackle Trent Williams would give him the runway to maximize the talent that should make him a top-15 pick. If his rawness takes him down, the 49ers should make a run for the podium.
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6. S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Thieneman is projected to be comfortably in the top 20, so it’s not likely the 49ers will have a shot at him. It would be a bit out of the ordinary for San Francisco to take a safety in Round 1, but it’s a major need for them and Thieneman could fill multiple roles in the back end of their secondary. If the Oregon star were to go down, the 49ers would have a home run pick 27th overall.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL Draft: 6 dream picks for the San Francisco 49ers