49ers 2026 Draft Analysis - Day 2
Updated: Apr 26
The 49ers ended up making 8 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Let's go through each selection, give a quick analysis and opinion, then break down what this draft means for the 2026 49ers roster and schemes.
First, let's discuss the elephant in the room:
The 49ers "reached" on the most of their selections. Of course, the term reach in this case is based on the Consensus Board. And if you want my thoughts on people who complain about this, here you go.
So excuse me if I do not bring up how disastrous this draft was because of "reaching" on prospects.
Here's the chart of how they strayed from the consensus board, via @sfdata9ers on Twitter.
Pick 33:
De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
Before we talk player, let's talk trade downs. The 49ers maneuvered their way down to the 33rd pick via two trades:
Picks 27 + 138 in exchange for Picks 30 + 90
Pick 30 in exchange for Picks 33 + 179
This led to the selection of WR De'Zhaun Stribling. Let's discuss Stribling's production in college, at three separate schools:
2021 - Washington State: 44 receptions, 471 yards, 5 TDs
2022 - Washington State: 51 receptions, 602 yards, 5 TDs
2023 - Oklahoma State: 14 receptions, 198 yards, 1 TD - played 4 games
2024 - Oklahoma State: 52 receptions, 882 yards, 6 TDs
2025 - Ole Miss: 55 receptions, 811 yards, 6 TDs
More 2025 stats(via PFF):
1 Drop
7.8 YAC per reception
144.8 passer rating when targeted
8.3 yards, average depth of target
Stribling's measurements:
6'2, 207lbs
31 5/8" arm length, 10" hands
4.36 40 yard dash (91st percentile)
1.53 10 yard split (65th)
36" vertical jump (55th)
10'7 broad jump (82nd)
The Good
YARDS. AFTER. CATCH.
After being known for this for years, the 49ers offense was awful after the catch in 2025. This is Stribling's top attribute. He's got great speed and the ability to run through arm tackles.
Speed.
Stribling speed at his size is a weapon. It shows up with the ball in his hands, but it's also noticeable when moving across the field, because CBs are often afraid of getting beat downfield. Shows up a lot when running through the middle of the field.
Catch ability.
It won't wow you, he's not Mike Evans on deep balls. But Stribling uses his size nicely. He works back to the ball and has a good ability to adjust to the ball, particularly on back-shoulder throws.
Blocking.
There are two reasons Kyle Shanahan doesn't let rookie skill players on the field; knowing the playbook and willingness to block. Stribling already has one of those crossed off. He's a willing and physical blocker.
The Bad
Route running.
It's not all bad. But his releases at the line of scrimmage are rarely effective. And he is imperfect at the top of his routes, which is where separation is truly made.
Route tree.
Along with the route running, I'll mention his route tree. This is the reason why he was considered a reach at pick 33. His route tree mostly consisted of hitches, digs, and go balls. Is that all he'll need to do, or is there more on the table for Stribling's route running?
I see Stribling as a slot receiver out of the gate. It'll be the best place for his YAC and blocking ability to thrive.
The question is really if he can get on the field as a rookie. Veterans Christian Kirk and Demarcus Robinson had very solid 2025 seasons, but neither started. Will they be given the WR3 role in 2026, or does Stribling get on the field first?
Pick 70:
Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
The 49ers once again traded down here, moving from 58 to 70.
Picks 58 + 152 in exchange for Picks 70 + 107
The 49ers moved down so that they could increase their Day 3 positioning, and still landed Romello Height, a 6 year college player.
2020 - Auburn
2021 - Auburn: 19 tackles, 3 TFLs
2022 - USC: 2 games - shoulder surgery
2023 - USC: 20 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4 sacks
2024 - Georgia Tech: 34 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FFs
2025 - Texas Tech: 38 tackles, 12 TFLs, 10 sacks, 2 FFs
More 2025 stats(via PFF):
56 pressures (approx 19% pressure rate)
39 QB hurries
22 run stops
Height's measurements:
6'3, 239lbs
32 1/4" arm length, 9 1/2" hands
4.64 40 yard dash (81st percentile)
1.63 10 yard split (54th)
39" vertical jump (94th)
10'5 broad jump (89th)
The Good
First step.
Height can a great first step, exploding off the line. Along with this, Height's stride length is long. He covers ground and is able to get on the QB very quickly. This also helps his pursuit and chase down out of the pocket.
Bend.
If you're going to be an undersized edge rusher, you have to be flexible and have bend to really get around the edge. You can't beat NFL tackles by running around them, and Height has the flexibility in his hips to beat tackles.
Overall pass rush.
I mentioned the first step, closing ability, and bend ability. These all contribute to the pass rush. But Height also just has a great pass rush bag. He is ferocious and high energy in his rush, and has developed a ridiculous spin move he goes to.
Coverage.
Height isn't an off-ball LB by any means, but he has familiarity with dropping into coverage. When you are that size, this is a plus, and the 49ers were probably seeking this out with new DC Raheem Morris.
The Bad
Age.
The fact is Height is 25 years old. This isn't necessarily one of those cases where it took forever for him to breakout, as he had good seasons before 2025. But it is true he didn't truly takeoff until 24 years old and playing across from the 2nd overall pick in the draft. Also, it means he's likely closer to his ceiling, as least physically.
Size.
The height and length aren't ideal, but not terrible. It's the weight that concerns me. I'm not a fan of lighter edge rushers, even if their just their to rush the passer or even drop into coverage. By biggest issue here is that I doubt Height can put much more weight on, or if he does, it'll effect his best abilities as a rusher.
Height immediately slots in as the designated pass rusher for the 49ers. Comes in on 3rd down and just gets after the quarterback. I also see him being used in 5 man fronts, which we saw a bit of last year, and will only see more of with Raheem Morris. He can stand up on the edge and either hold the edge better than Luke Gifford, or even drop into coverage.
But Height's use will be as a pass rusher, replacing Bryce Huff from the 2025 roster. His role may not be large, but Height should immediately see the field for the 49ers.
Pick 90:
Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
Black is considered a reach by the 49ers. I do not care about that. I do care about the process of taking mid-round RBs(more on that later). They made moves to acquire picks in the late 3rd round and early 4th range, and took a RB.
Kaelon Black was selected, also a 6 year college player:
2020 - James Madison: 25 carries, 170 yards, 1 TD
2021 - James Madison: 27 carries, 165 yards - 3 rec, 55 yards
2022 - James Madison: 69 carries, 333 yards, 3 TDs - 17 rec, 177 yards, 2 TDs
2023 - James Madison: 142 carries, 637 yards, 1 TD - 27 rec, 254 yards, 4 TDs
2024 - Indiana: 46 carries, 251 yards, 2 TDs - 4 rec, 6 yards
2025 - Indiana: 186 carries, 1,040 yards, 10 TDs - 4 rec, 36 yards
More 2025 stats(via PFF):
21 forced missed tackles
19 explosive runs
3.63 yards after contact per attempt
Stribling's measurements(Pro Day):
5'10, 211lbs
4.45 40 yard dash
37.5" vertical jump
10'5 broad jump
The Good
Running mentality.
Black is a hard, physical runner. He doesn't stop moving his feet, seeking more yardage. The yards after contact number is solid. Black is fairly decisive, and can get downhill quickly.
Pass protection.
Similar to his running style, Black is a willing pass protector because he can be physical. He's not perfect, but the desire is half the battle for RBs in pass pro.
Production.
Black had an incredible 2025 on the ground, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. And while there was no receiving work, Black had receiving production at JMU. That, plus his work in pass pro, makes it possible for him to get on the field on passing downs in the NFL.
The Bad
Agility.
Black isn't really going to create for himself. He can hit the lane if it's there for him, but if there's chaos in the backfield(like there was a lot for the 49ers in 2025), it's unlikely Black will be a positive runner. The yards after contact comes from Black being a bowling ball at full speed.
...
It's hard to categorize some of the negatives, they all kind of fall under the athleticism label. He isn't a "fluid" runner, and doesn't always find the cutback. It really is just whatever is in front of him. The athleticism isn't elite at all.
Regardless of where he was selected, Black brings a decent boom to the 49ers backfield. However, will we ever see it?
This is the fifth time the 49ers have "reached" on a RB in the 3rd or 4th round.
Joe Williams, Trey Sermon, Ty-Davis Price, and Isaac Guerendo combined for 165 carries for 707 yards in their 49ers tenures. And over half of that production comes from Guerendo's rookie season, where he only saw the field after both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason got hurt.
This cycle consists of:
drafting skill players, they don't play as rookies
year two, sign a veteran at the position to have a known quantity. Veteran plays over young guy
year three, player hasn't proven themselves, so the organization drafts another player at that position
Hopefully Black can break the cycle and have a role with the 49ers.
This analysis got a bit long, so I will go over all Day 3 prospects in a separate article. This will also give me a chance to become more familiar with the 49ers selections.
What did you think of the draft, and my take on how reaching doesn't matter?
Stay tuned for more NFL and 49ers articles, news, and opinions!
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