5 things to know about 49ers fifth-round pick OL Enrique Cruz Jr.

The San Francisco 49ers concluded their 2026 NFL Draft with the selection of Kansas offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr., who was chosen with the 39th pick in Round 5 (179 overall).

Cruz brings intriguing tools to the 49ers -- tools that were on display and caught a lot of attention during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Let's dive into that as well as what else to know about the newest 49ers offensive lineman.

Combine Winner

Cruz had his ups and downs in college, as we'll dive into in a bit. But everything culminated with a memorable NFL Scouting Combine performance that saw him run a 4.94 40 at 6-5 1/2, 313 pounds, while also posting a vertical jump of 35 inches and a broad jump of 9-feet/8-inches. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Cruz reached a speed of 20.69 MPH during the combine, which was the fastest among the offensive linemen. He was one of five offensive linemen to run over 20 MPH, a list that included first round picks in offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (20.33 MPH) and offensive tackle Monroe Freeling (20.32 MPH).

Cruz's showing gave him a spot on NFL.com's All-Combine team at the guard position.

"One of the best testers of the entire OL class, Cruz backed up his speedy 4.94 40 by proving he can also move swiftly along paths common to guard play," wrote Nick Shook of NFLcom. "With a firm base and quick feet, Cruz glided up field during drill work and separated himself from most of his counterparts with a visually superior pace. At 313 pounds, Cruz defied logic in how he covered ground and how fast he fired his feet. He could use a bit more weight in his hands, but the foundation is undoubtedly there."

Finishing strong at Kansas

After a prep career at Willowbrook High School near Chicago, Cruz started his college career at Syracuse. Cruz, who turns 23 in August, didn't see the field in 2021, then he started five of the eight games he played in 2022, three of them at right tackle and two at left tackle. But in one game, he was ejected for punching then-Boston College defensive end and current Dallas Cowboy Donovan Ezeiraku in the back of the helmet.

"Barely graded by NFL teams entering the 2025 season, Cruz forced evaluators to take notice with his steadying play," wrote Dane Brugler of The Athletic. "More quick than explosive, he reaches landmarks well and has the size and length to tie up rushers. He flashes vice-grip hands when he connects, but his punch timing and overall hand usage are works in progress (see his reps versus David Bailey and Romello Height on the 2025 Texas Tech tape). He has functional strength, although it can be negated by spotty technique."

Cruz told the WakeUpCall podcast before the draft that everything worked out for the best despite the twists and turns he encountered on his journey.

"It worked its way out perfectly," Cruz said. "I feel like there definitely was a lot of a hard times. It definitely wasn't easy. There were a lot of ups and downs, a lot of spots where I had to pick myself up and keep myself up. I feel like it was God trying to teach me a lesson and prepare me for the next journey."

Not too surprised he's a Niner

Cruz said he had contact with every NFL team before the draft, but he had noticeable attention from the 49ers. That included interviews and a workout.

"We had a lot of contact throughout the whole situation," Cruz told reporters on Saturday after his selection. "They came out here, I worked out for them and it all went really well."

Cruz admitted he was starting to get nervous as the fifth round dragged on and was both surprised and not surprised to get the call from the 49ers. His selection set off a family celebration at his home in Chicago that carried into his post-draft press conference.

"I'm trying to tell them to be quiet for a little bit, but I'm Puerto Rican," Cruz said. "These Puerto Ricans, they don't really know what that means sometimes. So I'm trying to wave them off, but they're not listening to me right now."

Where he fits

As is the case with the other offensive lineman selected by the 49ers, fourth-round pick Carver Willis, it's possible Cruz could be a college tackle moved inside if the 49ers decide that's where he's needed. But it feels like there's a better chance of him staying at tackle than Willis, who told reporters after the draft that every NFL team he talked to brought up the possibility of moving him to guard or center.

If he stays at tackle, Cruz will be behind Trent Williams, Colton McKivitz, and possibly offseason acquisition Vederian Lowe, who projects as the swing tackle. Others in the mix could include Austen Pleasants and Brandon Parker.

Wherever he lines up, Cruz says he'll be a hard worker who plays through the whistle.

"I'm a grit guy," Cruz said Saturday. "I'm always going to do what I've got to do. I hustle all the time in everything I do, and I'm always trying to finish the play."

Role model

Cruz says the player he looks up and models his game after in the NFL is Tampa Bay Buccaneers All-Pro Tristan Wirfs. Cruz said he happened to be in attendance when Wirfs got his name called in 2020.

"I was there at the Iowa Junior Day when he got drafted," Cruz said. "He's a really good tackle, and he's a guy I like to watch a lot and idolize."

Cruz won't have Wirfs to learn from in San Francisco, but he'll have something just as good if not better in Trent Williams.

"He's one of the best tackles ever... I'm just so excited to meet him and be able to learn a lot from him," Cruz said.