Rebilas-Imagn Images The 2026 NFL Draft is just two days away, and the San Francisco 49ers currently hold the No. 27 pick, where a lot of potential names have been floated around.In today’s world of college football, the draft has become far different, as we’re seeing more and more top-level prospects return to college for another year of NIL before heading to the NFL. That has led to older prospects overall, which teams have to decide to bet on.The 49ers had that situation two years ago, taking Ricky Pearsall at No. 31 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Pearsall was entering his age-24 season as a rookie, which meant that following his rookie contract and fifth-year option, he’d be heading into his age-29 season ahead of a second contract.That dilemma could pop up again this year, as there are a number of older prospects being projected to go in the first round without as many first-round grades in the class.

In fact, general manager John Lynch said that the number of first-round grades the 49ers have this year is lower than the 20 they had in the 2025 NFL Draft.“Yes, I think [NIL] will [reduce the number of first round players in the draft],” Lynch said. “Now, I will say we’re just about the same number of players draftable (around 200). Our first-round grades are down.

I don’t want to give an exact number, but we’re down a little bit in terms of the first-round grades. But, you know, it’s something we talked about at league meetings. You know, can’t blame these kids.

There’s ample opportunity to go back. Everybody always says college was the most fun I ever had. And now they’re being presented with a lot of motivation to stay.

“And I think it’s something we have to look at as a league. How we are going to address that, because, you know, you don’t want to look at the college ranks. We’ve always looked at it as somewhat of a feeder system.

Now it’s almost like we’re in competition, you know, and you’re seeing a lot more 25-year-old rookies. That’s probably the biggest change. COVID had something to do with it, but it’s also the opportunity for these guys to stay and make good money doing what they’re doing.

I don’t have all the answers there, but I do believe it’s something as a league we have to pay a lot of attention to.”Now, what will San Francisco’s process be when considering those potential older rookies in the draft?“You know, I don’t think it’s the evaluation process,” Lynch said when considering the age of prospects. “It’s just like, what are you all right with as an organization? Sometimes we’ll be up there and, look, we’re not trying to sign this guy for 15 years.

We just want good. Let’s get him to the first contract. Let’s get him to his second contract, you know? So I just am talking about the health of the league.

“It’s wonderful when you have an accomplished, experienced player like Mykel [Williams] last year who was 21 years old when we drafted him. When you’re starting to talk about 25 and 26-year-olds, sometimes they’ve been a little more beat up, sometimes there’s a history like, why did he have so much movement? Why is he a 6-year guy?

And there’s a lot of reasons behind it. Certainly something we look into, but in terms of the evaluation, I don’t think there’s a huge difference.”This draft class isn’t perceived to be as strong at the top, which Lynch confirmed with the 49ers having fewer first-round grades this year. That makes it more important for the team’s evaluation to be spot on, as they’ll have to balance the need for projection and ready-now talent.A part of that comes with how old prospects are. So, we’ll see what direction the 49ers go in this weekend.