San Francisco 49ers Rookie Forecast

49ers Rookie Forecast 2026

Solid Starter

Romello Height, DE, Texas Tech – Round 3

The 49ers have both of their starting defensive ends coming off serious injuries. To help Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams avoid injury and stay fresh, Height should contribute right away. While other Texas Tech defensive linemen like David Bailey received more media attention, Height played really well for the Red Raiders last year and was a consistent source of pressure on the quarterback. Height is quick off the ball with athleticism to work around blockers. In the short-term, he could be a designated pass rusher to rotate with Bosa and Williams. In the long-term, he could emerge as a solid starter across from Williams.

2025: Alex Collins, dT
2024: Dominick Puni, OT
2023: Jake Moody, K
2022: Danny Gray, WR
2021: Trey Lance, QB
2020: Jauan Jennings, WR
2019: Deebo Samuel, WR
2018: Fred Warner, LB
2017: Reuben Foster, LB
2016: Joshua Garnett, G
2015: Jaquiski Tartt, S
2014: Marcus Martin, C
2013: Tank Carradine, DE

Most Likely To Bust

The 49ers traded down from the first round, and San Francisco took three players on the second day of the draft. While they did not grab headlining players and the 49ers received a lot of criticism for their draft, I do not think that any of their day two picks are going to be busts. I think they will at least be solid starters and contributing rotational players.

2025: Upton Stout, CB
2024: Renardo Green, CB
2023: None
2022: None
2021: Ambry Thomas, CB
2020: Brandon Aiyuk, WR
2019: Jalen Hurd, WR
2018: Dante Pettis, WR
2017: Solomon Thomas, DE
2016: Rashard Robinson, CB
2015: Eli Harold, OLB
2014: Chris Borland, ILB
2013: Eric Reid, S

Potential Boom Pick

De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss – Round 2

The 49ers had to revamp their wide receiver room, and it started with drafting Ricky Pearsall and trading Deebo Samuel. From there, Brandon Aiyuk went AWOL after getting injured and looks poised to leave the franchise shortly, while Jauan Jennings also is not being brought back to the team. Future Hall of Famer Mike Evans was signed in free agency, but Evans is aging, declining, and injury-prone. Hence, San Francisco continued to add to their receiving room by selecting Stribling with the 33rd overall pick.

The 6-foot-2, 207-pound Stribling has a nice combination of size and speed. Stribling has a burst with serious straight-line speed that can stretch defenses vertically. With his size, he is also capable of making contested catches over defensive backs. Evans will be an ideal mentor for Stribling to learn from and see how Evans has been so successful during his great career. In a year or two, I think Stribling will take over as a starting receiver, and he could become the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver for Brock Purdy. Stribling has a lot of upside, and I think he landed in a great situation with good coaching to develop him into a potential boom pick for San Francisco.

2025: Mykel Williams, DE
2024: Ricky Pearsall, WR
2023: None
2022: Drake Jackson, DE
2021: Aaron Banks, G
2020: Javon Kinlaw, DT
2019: Nick Bosa, DE
2018: Mike McGlinchey, OT
2017: Akhello Witherspoon, CB
2016: DeForest Buckner, DE
2015: Arik Armstead, DE
2014: Carlos Hyde, RB
2013: Marcus Lattimore, RB

Future Depth Player

Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana – Round 3

While Fernando Mendoza got all the attention, Black was a key component of the Indiana Hoosiers National Championship run. Black was a physical downhill runner who beat up on defenses. At 5-foot-9, 208 pounds, Black has a strong build and will run through contact with serious strength. He is dangerous to pick up yards after contact and runs angry with an intimidating attitude. With Christian McCaffrey in place, Black won’t be the starter for the 49ers, but he could be an excellent depth back and rotational player to help keep McCaffrey fresh and healthy. If Black does well in that role, he might ascend to being the future starter once McCaffrey ages out. At the very least, I think Black will be a good backup and rotational back.

2025: C.J. West, DT
2024: Jacob Cowing, WR
2023: Cameron Latu, TE
2022: Tyrion Davis-Price, RB
2021: Trey Sermon, RB
2020: Colton McKivits, OT
2019: Kaden Smith, TE
2018: Kentavius Street, DE
2017: Joe Williams, RB
2016: Jeff Driskel, QB
2015: Mike Davis, RB
2014: Bruce Ellington, WR
2013: Vance McDonald, TE