The NFC West arms race is heating up, and the San Francisco 49ers are done playing nice. After getting steamrolled by the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round and watching the Hawks hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 60 on the Niners’ own turf at Levi’s Stadium, it’s clear: business as usual won’t cut it. The Seahawks’ suffocating defense and relentless offense exposed every flaw in San Francisco’s aging roster, leaving head coach Kyle Shanahan admitting the need for speed, dynamism, and outright dominance.
But this isn’t just a rebuild—it’s a calculated assault. With Seattle laughing all the way to the bank, the 49ers must draft with vengeance in mind. Using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator, we’ve crafted a seven-round blueprint designed not only to plug holes but to exploit Seattle’s weaknesses, steal their thunder, and bury them in the division standings. Wide receiver and pass rush top the list, but we’re addressing hidden gaps too, all while picking at No. 27 overall. Let’s dive in and see how these selections turn the tables on the Hawks.
Round 1, Pick 27: Denzel Boston, Wide Receiver, Washington Huskies
Scouting Report: Brandon Aiyuk is as good as traded, Jauan Jennings is eyeing free agency, and Ricky Pearsall’s injury history leaves the 49ers’ receiver room looking like a ghost town. Enter Denzel Boston, a 6-foot-4 Seattle-area native with sticky hands, red-zone dominance, and route-running precision that could slice through the Hawks’ vaunted secondary like a hot knife through butter.
Why it buries Seattle: The Seahawks thrive on smothering passing games, but Boston’s size and blocking prowess make him a nightmare matchup. He’s built to command respect deep downfield, forcing safeties to cheat and opening lanes for the run game. Drafting a local kid? That’s just salt in the wound—turning Seattle’s backyard talent against them. Shanahan’s offense gets a true alpha receiver who stays healthy and produces, weakening the Hawks’ defensive grip on the division.
Round 2, Pick 58: Zion Young, Defensive End, Missouri Tigers
Scouting Report: With Nick Bosa as the lone consistent edge threat and Bryce Huff potentially bolting after Robert Saleh’s departure, the pass rush needs reinforcements. Zion Young brings a 6-foot-5 frame, non-stop motor, and versatility to slide inside or out. He might need to bulk up and refine his burst, but in Raheem Morris’ aggressive fronts, he’ll evolve into a disruptor.
Why it buries Seattle: Seattle’s D-line dominated the trenches in 2025, but imagine Bosa, Young, Alfred Collins, and Mykel Williams forming a wall that mirrors—and surpasses—the Hawks’ front. Young’s flexibility counters Seattle’s mobile quarterbacks and schemed protections, pressuring them into mistakes. This pick isn’t about parity; it’s about flipping the script, making the Seahawks’ offense wilt under the same pressure they dished out in the Super Bowl.
Round 3, Pick 92: Chase Bisontis, Offensive Guard, Texas A&M Aggies
Scouting Report: Christian McCaffrey’s near-dual 1,000-yard season was impressive, but his 3.9 yards per carry screamed inefficiency. Blame age or the line—either way, the interior needs beef. Chase Bisontis is a mauling run blocker ready to slot in at left guard, especially with Spencer Burford likely walking in free agency.
Why it buries Seattle: The Hawks’ run defense stonewalled opponents, but Bisontis’ thump up front restores San Francisco’s ground-and-pound identity. A fortified line means McCaffrey (or his heir) gashes Seattle’s front seven, controlling the clock and wearing down their stars. This is targeted erosion—weakening the Seahawks by outmuscling them in the trenches, turning their strength into a liability.
Round 4, Pick 127: Marlin Klein, Tight End, Michigan Wolverines
Scouting Report: George Kittle’s Achilles tear will sideline him for chunks of 2026, and at 32, his window is closing. Marlin Klein won’t wow with stats, but his balanced blocking and receiving skills echo Kittle’s college profile. He’s a plug-and-play No. 2 who adds depth and versatility.
Why it buries Seattle: Seattle’s linebackers feast on one-dimensional tight ends, but Klein’s dual-threat ability creates mismatches, pulling coverage and opening underneath routes. Long-term, he’s Kittle’s successor, ensuring Shanahan’s two-TE sets remain a weapon. By bolstering this position, the 49ers exploit Seattle’s occasional soft spots in the middle, chipping away at their defensive cohesion.
Round 4, Pick 133: Kaytron Allen, Running Back, Penn State Nittany Lions
Scouting Report: McCaffrey’s age and injury risks loom large, Brian Robinson Jr. is a free agent, and Jordan James is untested. Kaytron Allen embodies Shanahan’s ideal back: vision, physicality, and potential as a workhorse with receiving upside.
Why it buries Seattle: The Hawks’ defense dares teams to run, then stuffs them. Allen’s addition infuses youth and explosiveness, creating a committee that sustains drives and punishes tired fronts. This weakens Seattle by forcing them to respect the run year-round, diluting their pass-rush focus and exposing vulnerabilities in extended games.
Round 4, Pick 138: Jalen Stroman, Safety, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Scouting Report: Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha underwhelmed in 2025, making safety a stealth priority. Jalen Stroman offers box/free versatility, sharp zone instincts, and special teams value to climb the depth chart quickly.
Why it buries Seattle: Seattle’s secondary thrives on ball-hawking, but Stroman’s instincts counter their play-action and deep shots. He shores up San Francisco’s back end, preventing the big plays that defined the Hawks’ playoff romps. This pick targets Seattle’s offensive explosiveness, turning potential touchdowns into turnovers and eroding their confidence.
Round 5, Pick 171: Cyrus Allen, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bearcats
Scouting Report: Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins haven’t panned out, so doubling down at receiver makes sense. At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Cyrus Allen’s elite speed, shiftiness, and footwork make him a slot dynamo despite his size.
Why it buries Seattle: The Hawks’ coverage schemes lock down the outside, but Allen’s quickness exploits underneath zones, stretching the field horizontally. He’s the gadget guy who turns short gains into chunk plays, forcing Seattle to adjust and weaken their edges. This late-round gem completes the receiver overhaul, making the 49ers’ offense unpredictable and Seattle’s defense obsolete.
This mock draft isn’t polite—it’s provocative, a direct shot at Seattle’s supremacy. By targeting receivers to exploit their secondary, bolstering the lines to match their physicality, and adding depth to outlast them, the 49ers aren’t just retooling; they’re engineering the Hawks’ downfall. The arms race is on, and with these picks, San Francisco aims to end it decisively. Let the burying begin.
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