The San Francisco 49ers are being connected to a future left tackle plan in a new 2026 NFL mock draft. Pro Football Focus projected the 49ers to use the No. 25 overall pick on Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, a move framed around Trent Williams’ age (37) and the need to think long-term on Brock Purdy’s blind side.
PFF’s mock draft link to Caleb Lomu is all about the “post-Trent” plan
Even when Williams is still playing at a high level, the calendar matters. Williams finalized a reworked three-year deal worth $82.66 million in September 2024, and the structure includes a $10 million option bonus in 2026, per Over The Cap’s contract notes.
That’s why a late-first-round tackle projection is such an easy “pressure” story for the 49ers: it’s not just about drafting a good player — it’s about creating leverage and a runway for the most important spot on the line.
San Francisco is being linked to Lomu as a succession plan. Though Williams is still elite, the team has to plan ahead.
“Given Trent Williams’ age (37), the time is now for the 49ers to be looking for a long-term replacement at left tackle,” the PFF article stated. “Lomu earned an 82.1 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025 and has spent more than 1,500 snaps on the left side of the line since the start of the 2024 season.”
Of course, moving on from Williams, whenever the time comes, will be far from easy. The mainstay lineman is a three-time First-Team All-Pro and has made 11 Pro Bowls in his career.
What it means for Trent Williams and Brock Purdy
Williams has made it clear he’s not eager to walk away. In June 2025, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Williams could envision playing into 2026 and beyond — even into his age-40 season — while also acknowledging he’s taking things year-by-year.
That doesn’t eliminate the need for a contingency plan. It arguably increases it.
A first-round tackle adds options:
- If Williams keeps rolling: Lomu can develop without being rushed, and the 49ers can sort out the best five linemen.
- If Williams slows down or misses time: San Francisco has a more credible “next man up” pathway than scrambling in a pinch.
- If contract/roster math shifts: Tackles aren’t cheap, and drafting one early is the cleanest way to keep the room stable.
San Francisco has also shown it will spend to stabilize other tackle spots. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the 49ers signed right tackle Colton McKivitz to a three-year extension, signaling they want certainty up front.
The quick “why Lomu” breakdown
The selling point is pass protection. The University of Utah’s own release on Lomu cited an 82.1 PFF pass-blocking grade and low hurry totals, and Deseret News reported he allowed eight pressures and zero sacks in 2025, per PFF.
PFF’s mock-draft blurb also emphasized volume and experience, noting Lomu has logged more than 1,500 snaps on the left side since the start of 2024.
What to watch next: if Williams continues talking about playing multiple more seasons, the “successor” conversation won’t go away. It just shifts from replacement to insurance and leverage.
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