The 2026 NFL Draft is officially over, and now it is time to hand out draft grades on how well the San Francisco 49ers did at upgrading their roster in the 2026 NFL Draft.
San Francisco 49ers 2026 NFL Draft Grades
Second Round (33rd Overall): WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
Stribling is a wide receiver with a great combination of size and speed. At 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, Stribling ran a 4.36 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine and recorded a 9.57 relative athletic score. He has the ability to make plays vertically downfield and is dangerous with the ball in his hands after the catch. Stribling is one of the best blocking receivers in the draft as well, and is a good fit in Shanahan’s offense. However, Stribling is still developing as a route runner, and he is not currently able to consistently create separation in the short and intermediate parts of the field. No. 33 overall may have been a bit too early to take Stribling, but he is a receiver with good upside and is a great fit for the 49ers offense.
49ers Draft Grade: C+
De’Zhaun Stribling NFL Draft Profile
Third Round (70th Overall): Edge Romello Height, Texas Tech
The 49ers needed to improve their pass rush, which finished last season with the fewest sacks in the entire league, and Height is someone who should help the 49ers improve in that area. Height was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football last season, helping Texas Tech reach the College Football Playoff and have one of the best defenses in the entire country. Height has good athletic ability, an explosive first step, and good bend around the edge. He is an undersized edge defender who needs to improve as a run defender, but Height has the ability to make an immediate impact as a pass rusher.
49ers Draft Grade: B+
Romello Height NFL Draft Profile
Third Round (90th Overall): RB Kaelon Black, Indiana
For the fifth time in six years, the 49ers drafted a running back. Black runs extremely hard, is able to run through arm tackles, and consistently falls forward for extra yards. He is also solid in pass protection. Black is a good running back prospect, but going in the top 100, especially with bigger needs for the 49ers, is probably too early. He did not have great pass-catching production in college, and he is not an overly elusive runner who is able to consistently make defenders miss in open space. Black has the skill set to potentially be an impactful player for the 49ers, but the 49ers probably could have waited to take a running back later in the draft.
49ers Draft Grade: C-
Kaelon Black NFL Draft Profile
Fourth Round (107th Overall): IDL Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
The 49ers continued their focus on improving the pass rush with Halton in the fourth round. Halton is an undersized interior defensive lineman who lacks ideal arm length for the position, but he is also an athletic player with an explosive first step, good movement skills, and a great motor. He is a player who should help improve the team’s pass rush, is a good fit for the 49ers defense, and has solid athletic upside.
49ers Draft Grade: B+
Gracen Halton NFL Draft Profile
Fourth Round (127th Overall): OL Carver Willis, Washington
The 49ers went offensive line for the first time in the draft with Willis in the fourth round. Willis played tackle in college, but is likely a better fit on the interior offensive line in the NFL. He is an experienced player who is quick out of his stance and has good movement skills. Willis is a fantastic run blocker who recorded an 84.8 PFF run-blocking grade during the 2025 season. Willis will need to improve his consistency in pass protection and ability to anchor against power, but he is a versatile offensive lineman who has solid potential in the NFL.
49ers Draft Grade: B-
Carver Willis NFL Draft Profile
Fourth Round (139th Overall): CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington
Prysock is an athletic corner with good height and length. He ranks in the 98th percentile in height, 66th percentile in weight, and 94th percentile in arm length for the position, according to Mockdraftable. Prysock also has good speed and ran a 4.45 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine, and recorded a 9.74 relative athletic score. Prysock can be too grabby in coverage at times and needs to do a better job tracking the ball downfield, but he is a Day 3 cornerback with good traits and starter upside in the NFL.
49ers Draft Grade: B+
Ephesians Prysock NFL Draft Profile
Fifth Round (154th Overall): LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana
Dugger is a former safety who is still new to playing linebacker, but he has a ton of upside. He is a linebacker with an elite 35-inch arm length and had a highly productive 2025 season. Dugger recorded 125 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, and one interception during the season. He is a developmental linebacker who has the skill set to potentially be an impactful special teams player early in his career.
49ers Draft Grade: C+
Fifth Round (179th Overall): OT Enrique Cruz Jr., Kansas
Cruz is an athletic offensive tackle who is quick out of his stance, has good footwork, and recorded a near-perfect 9.99 relative athletic score at the combine. He has an inconsistent technique and needs to improve his anchoring ability, but Cruz has impressive physical traits and had a very good season for Kansas in 2025.
49ers Draft Grade: B+
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
