49ers draft recap: 5 themes that define their 2026 rookie class
The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, with the San Francisco 49ers adding 16 players — eight through the draft and another eight as undrafted free agents after the draft ended.
The picks were:
- De’Zhaun Stribling, wide receiver, Ole Miss, Round 2, 33rd overall pick
- Romello Height, edge rusher, Texas Tech, Round 3, 70th pick
- Kaelon Black, running back, Indiana, Round 3, 90th pick
- Gracen Halton, defensive tackle, Oklahoma, Round 4, 107th pick
- Carver Willis, offensive tackle, Washington, Round 4, 127th pick
- Ephesians Prysock, cornerback, Washington, Round 4, 139th pick
- Jaden Dugger, linebacker, Louisiana, Round 5, 154th pick
- Enrique Cruz Jr., offensive tackle, Kansas, Round 5, 179th pick
On Sunday, San Francisco announced that it had signed the follow undrafted free agents:
- Jack Boumeester, punter, Texas
- Khalil Dinkins, tight end, Penn State
- Bryson Eason, defensive lineman, Tennessee
- Wesley Grimes, wide receiver, North Carolina State
- Mikail Kamara, defensive lineman, Indiana
- Will Pauling, wide receiver, Notre Dame
- Jalen Stroman, safety, Notre Dame
- James Thompson Jr., defensive lineman, Illinois
It could be months, if not a season or two before it’s clear whether San Francisco excelled in this draft. That said, some things are already apparent about the draft.
Here are five themes that defined the draft:
1. A willingness to trade
San Francisco entered the first day of the three-day draft on Thursday evening with six picks. They turned this into eight picks through a series of trades, five in all over the three days — two on Thursday, two more on Friday and one on Saturday.
Following a 12-5 season in 2025 where the 49ers dealt with injuries continually, the trades allowed them to sign more players to help add depth to their roster.
2. Interesting in adding picks rather than moving up
Entering Thursday, the 49ers held a first round pick, No. 27.
Shortly before they were due to make this selection, they traded it and another pick to the Miami Dolphins for a later first round choice, No. 30 and another pick. And then, shortly before the No. 30 choice was due, they flipped it to the New York Jets for the first pick of the second round, No. 33, the following day and a fifth-round choice.
The net result for the evening: No first round choices this year for San Francisco. But it helped set them on a course that saw them add numerous players over Day 2 of the draft on Friday and Day 3 on Saturday.
3. A surprise selection toward the top
Few people might have foreseen the 49ers drafting Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling when they finally got on the board with the first pick of the second round.
One person who sung Stribling’s praises was his high school coach from Hawaii, Darren Hernandez.
““He’s a mellow dude and then once he gets the pads on, he plays like a real animal,” Hernandez said. “He’s tough, and he does not back down from anybody.”
4. Focus on the offensive and defensive lines
Of the 49ers’ eight draft choices, four are either offensive or defensive linemen.
Carver Willis was drafted as a tackle and could play guard or center in the NFL due to his speed. Enrique Cruz Jr. is also a tackle. It could help provide protection on an offense that has seen serious injuries to quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle in recent years.
Meanwhile, the 49ers picked up edge rusher Romello Height and defensive tackle Gracen Halton. The 49ers’ defense had just 20 sacks in 2025, so anything Height and Halton can provide is welcome.
5. Finding multiple players from the same schools
Not counting transfers, as it’s common for college football players to be on multiple teams now, some of the 16 players the 49ers drafted or signed following the draft have familiarity with one another.
Willis and Prysock played together at Washington. Third round running back pick Kaelon Black and undrafted defensive lineman Mikail Kamara were key members of a national champion Indiana team. The 49ers also added a pair of undrafted free agents from Notre Dame in safety Jalen Stroman and wide receiver Will Pauling.
