ESPN analyst doesn't believe WR is a top need for 49ers in 2026 NFL Draft
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ESPN analyst doesn't believe WR is a top need for 49ers in 2026 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The San Francisco 49ers are picking at No. 27 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and they own the 58th pick on Day 2 before not picking against until 127th overall in Round 4, with three picks at 133rd, 138th, and 139th overall on Day 3.
It's not a stacked pool of picks, though their first and second rounders should help the 49ers land some key help on either side of the ball. Wide receiver has been one of the positions the 49ers have been linked to this year.
However, ESPN's Ben Solak believes that WR isn't a big need for the 49ers. Instead, Solak makes the case for the 49ers to go after a WR down the board, as their current group is perfectly fine as is.
ESPN analyst has WR not as a top need for 49ers
"One of the earliest listed needs by most others for the 49ers is wide receiver. I disagree," Solak writes. "Mike Evans has plenty left to his game, and Ricky Pearsall plays well when healthy. Christian Kirk is a fine WR3, and Demarcus Robinson is a fine WR4."
The 49ers have been linked to plenty of receivers in this year's draft class, with KC Concepcion being one name frequently linked to the team this offseason.
However, Solak believes that such a need being addressed early doesn't make sense for the 49ers. Instead, he believes it's a need better left addressed down the board.
"The 49ers should again look for a middle-rounds developmental type as they have done often in recent drafts," Solak writes of the 49ers' wide receiver need.
While the 49ers could go after a top WR with the 27th or 58th picks, Solak want's the Niners to explore those WR additions on Day 3 of the draft.
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There are some intriguing options down the board in either the third round or near the start of Day 3 when the 49ers have four picks.
North Dakota State's Bryce Lance, Clemson's Antonio Williams, Indiana's Elijah Sarratt, and Georgia's Zachariah Branch are some late Day 2 options for the 49ers.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma's Deion Burks, Georgia State's Ted Hurst, Notre Dame's Malachi Fields, Mississippi's De'Zhaun Stribling, and Mississippi State's Brenen Thompson are all options to keep in mind for the 49ers down the board on Day 3.
Solak doesn't believe the 49ers should draft a WR early in this year's draft, instead looking for options down the board. There are some very intriguing options after the first few groups go, so this belief from Solak makes sense.