The San Francisco 49ers had a clear focus on improving the defense in this year’s NFL Draft, taking five defensive players through the first four rounds.

After the team invested $265 million in young quarterback phenom Brock Purdy to keep him in San Francisco through the 2029 season, the 49ers might want to think about protecting that investment.

Ben Bartch, who was supposed to replace Aaron Banks at left guard, was placed on the non-football injury list on Saturday.

The 49ers are already thin along the offensive line, and Bartch’s mishap away from the facility (whatever that was) didn’t help things.

San Francisco will still be thin entering next season unless something drastic happens. That’s why PFSN believes the team will invest in Purdy’s protection beginning in 2026 with its way-too-early NFL Mock Draft.

The draft order has been established using the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator, which you can use to predict every round.

ROUND 1, PICK 25 – San Francisco 49ers: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

“Spencer Fano is the other bookend tackle for Utah, who will now block for one of the top rushing quarterbacks in college football, Devon Dampier,” PFSN wrote. “Kyle Whittingham’s right tackle is intense as a run blocker. The road grader will bulldoze through defenders and put them in the dirt at every opportunity.

“He also possesses a refined technique as a pass protector, utilizing his intense power and situational awareness, which allowed him to allow only one sack and 14 pressures in 2024.”