49ers 2026 draft report card: How experts graded San Francisco's class

The 2026 NFL Draft is complete, and the San Francisco 49ers added eight players—four on offense and four on defense. The next phase begins as the coaching staff works to develop this rookie class and maximize each player's skill set.

As is tradition, media analysts have released their 49ers draft grades, evaluating how San Francisco performed over the three-day event.

Draft grades this early are admittedly premature. The rookies haven't even suited up for their first NFL practice. However, these early evaluations provide a snapshot of perceived value, scheme fit, and overall roster impact based on pre-draft assessments and team needs.

Below are the 49ers' 2026 NFL Draft grades from notable analysts, along with key insights behind each evaluation. The assessments vary widely, ranging from an A- grade to a D-.

49ers Draft Picks

• Round 2 (33): WR De'Zhaun Stribling, Mississippi
• Round 3 (70): EDGE Romello Height, Texas Tech
• Round 3 (90): RB Kaelon Black, Indiana
• Round 4 (107): DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
• Round 4 (127): OT Carver Willis, Washington
• Round 4 (139): CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington
• Round 5 (154): LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana
• Round 5 (179): OT Enrique Cruz, Kansas

The following grades are listed from highest to lowest.

Chad Reuter, NFL.com

2026 NFL Draft: Final snap grades for every team

2026 Grade: A-
2025 Grade: B+

Analysis:
San Francisco wisely traded down twice in the first round to improve its stockpile of mid-round draft capital. Stribling should meet the Niners' need at receiver because of his size/speed combination and ability to make big plays after the catch, but we'll see if Germie Bernard (chosen 47th overall) or Denzel Boston (39th) have more productive careers. They added veteran pass rushing tackle Osa Odighizuwa via trade with their original third-round pick, but they acquired two more third-round choices to select a lean but explosive pass rusher (Height) and a tough, quick, productive runner (Black) who can give Christian McCaffrey a break.

Halton was a very good value as a pass-rushing tackle early in the fourth round, even after the trade for Odighizuwa. The Niners found offensive-line depth on Day 3, as well, in Willis, a versatile guard/tackle, and Cruz, an athletic pass protector. The tall, athletic and raw Prysock was a worthy fifth-round project.

Nate Davis, USA Today

NFL draft grades: Ranking all 32 teams' 2026 classes, with lowly Jets earning an A+

2026 Grade: B
2025 Grade: B

Analysis:
It may not be packed with star power, especially after GM John Lynch vacated the first round. But second-round WR De'Zhaun Stribling, third-round DE Romello Height, third-round RB Kaelon Black, fourth-round DT Gracen Halton, fourth-round OT Carver Willis and fourth-round CB Ephesians Prysock all provide valuable depth for a team that dealt with so many injuries last year and – certainly in Black's case – need to help reduce the load on stars like RB Christian McCaffrey. And whether or not those injuries seem like a bad run of luck (or electrical substation exposure), this is a veteran roster that needs fallbacks. Stribling may not catch a ton of balls as a rookie, but if recently signed WR Mike Evans breaks down again…

Carter Bahns, CBS Sports

2026 NFL Draft team grades are in: Full report cards for all 32 clubs

2026 Grade: B-
2025 Grade: C (by Chris Trapasso)

Analysis:
The 49ers fielded calls for the No. 33 pick all day Friday, according to multiple reports, but elected to keep the second round's first pick when they did not receive an enticing enough offer. They used it to continue reshaping their receiving corps with the selection of De'Zhaun Stribling. The Ole Miss product joins Mike Evans as a newcomer in a new-look group — one that seems certain to lose Brandon Aiyuk and has already said goodbye to Jauan Jennings.

Rounds 3 and 4 are where the 49ers addressed their significant need on the defensive front. Romello Height was one of many disruptors on the dominant Texas Tech line last year and is both a depth addition and an upside pick for a team that could not stay healthy on the edge in 2025. Gracen Halton, meanwhile, bolsters the interior.

The third round is also where they made a less-than-inspiring pick at running back. In a perfect world, Kaelon Black will be nothing more than a backup to Christian McCaffrey for the next few years.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

NFL Draft grades 2026: All 32 draft classes ranked from Titans' flawless week to Rams' wasted opportunity

2026 Grade: B-
2025 Grade: B+

Analysis:
GM John Lynch did keep trading down with no clear needs, but in the end a complementary wide receiver, defensive front help and a backup running back did address those things. Stribling was a reach, with Height and Halton being the best picks. They also could have have better backs to fit their system than Black.

Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo! Sports

2026 NFL Draft grades: Giants among 4 teams with an A, while a Super Bowl contender doesn't do so hot

2026 Grade: B-
2025 Grade: C+

Analysis:
I understand the 49ers "reaching" on a couple of players, which might seem like this grade is odd. I just like a couple of the players the 49ers drafted. De'Zhaun Stribling, a player I was particularly high on because of his size, blocking and all-around game, was ranked No. 52 on my final big board. I love his fit with Kyle Shanahan as essentially a Jauan Jennings replacement. But it might have been a little rich to take him at 33. Then again, he may have been gone before the 49ers selected again at the end of the third round, so I understand the argument for the perceived "reach."

I also like the 49ers continuing to add to their interior defense with the Gracen Halton pick. But I didn't really love the Kaelon Black pick in the third round, a player I saw more as a middle or late Day 3 talent. But Shanahan taking a running back in the third round that seems like a reach by consensus standards has become a bit of an annual draft tradition. They took Carver Willis on Day 3 as offensive line depth, too, something this team desperately needs. That's perhaps why the Niners moved out of the first round when they weren't able to add one of the tackles who went in the first round.

Most interesting pick:
Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech

Height is a twitchy pass rusher who is older and lacks great size, likely making him a designated pass rusher. But he is a heat-seeking missile when getting after the passer, and I am already dreaming about the 49ers trotting out Height, Mykel Williams, Osa Odighizuwa and Nick Bosa on third down to create havoc in the pocket.

Matt Verderame and Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated

2026 NFL Draft Grades: Analysis of Every Team's Picks

2026 Grade: C+
2025 Grade: D

Analysis:
The 49ers traded out of the first round, passing on receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and going with Stribling to open Day 2. That appears to be a reach pick for a player projected to go in the third round by most draft pundits. San Francisco also had the opportunity to take Denzel Boston. Later in the draft, the 49ers made the head-scratching decision to make Black the third running back off the board. He's a physical playmaker, but he doesn't offer much in the passing game. But the team might have gotten a steal with Height, who had 10 sacks last season.

Mel Kiper, ESPN

2026 NFL draft grades for 32 teams: Winners, losers, steals

2026 Grade: C
2025 Grade: B

Analysis:
The 49ers traded out of Day 1, and I wrote about their Day 2 on Friday night. There were some really confusing picks in this class. I like De'Zhaun Stribling, Kaelon Black and some others, but it seemed like general manager John Lynch went off the board to get the guys he wanted, often way ahead of where they were valued.

The Niners needed to fix their depth more than anything. Last season, injuries gutted the roster. San Francisco went 12-5 and lost in the divisional round, but it was a what-could-have-been kind of season. Nick Bosa (knee) missed 14 games. Fred Warner (ankle) missed 11. Mykel Williams missed the back half of his rookie year with his own knee injury. George Kittle was out six games, and the receiver room took its share of hits (perhaps most notable with Brandon Aiyuk not returning at all and now looking like he'll be headed elsewhere).

On top of all that, Trent Williams is turning 38 years old. He recently agreed to a reworked deal that at least ensures he will be there in 2026, but I had San Francisco looking at the OT class even before the two sides settled on a restructure. The team needs to be thinking ahead.

Stribling has wheels, running a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, and he accelerates immediately. Black runs through contact with power. Romello Height has burst and bend off the edge. But all three Day 2 players were significant reaches. Stribing was No. 73 on my board, Height was No. 107 and Black was way outside my top 150. Instead of Stribling, San Francisco could have gotten Denzel Boston. Instead of Height, it could have gotten someone like Jaishawn Barham. There were nine RBs available ahead of Black, including some guys with elite speed (Mike Washington Jr.), great hands (Emmett Johnson) and home-run ability (Kaytron Allen).

Day 3 was more of the same, with the exception of their first pick of the day. Gracen Halton jams running backs at the line of scrimmage despite weighing only 293 pounds. He had 10.5 tackles for loss and 16 run stops last season. He should be in the mix for playing time as a 3-technique, and I'm a fan of the value on this pick. But I'm not sure San Francisco did enough otherwise.

Danny Kelly, The Ringer

Grading Every Team's 2026 NFL Draft Haul

2026 Grade: C-
2025 Grade: B-

Analysis:
The Niners kept what seems like a now yearly tradition of making head-scratching skill player picks on day two, grabbing Ole Miss receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (my 83rd overall player) and Indiana running back Kaelon Black (who was outside my top 100 and not invited to the combine) in the second and third rounds, respectively. Stribling is a guy that I actually like—he's tall, fast, and blocks his ass off—but the opportunity cost of taking him 33rd overall, with dozens of higher-ranked players still on the board, is an eyebrow-raiser. Add in the selection of Romello Height, an undersized 25-year-old sixth-year senior, in the third round, and it's safe to say I don't see eye to eye with San Francisco's value analysis. I did like the pick of Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton, who brings some pass-rushing upside on the interior line, but overall, it's hard to say the Niners maximized their draft capital with this class—and they may not even have an early career starter in the bunch.

Pro Football Focus (PFF team)

2026 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams

2026 Grade: D
2025 Grade: D

Analysis:
Highest-graded pick (2025): ED Romello Height, Texas Tech Red Raiders (92.5)

Stribling: Stribling is a strong, competitive receiver with natural hands and a physical playstyle that shows up as a blocker, after the catch and at the catch point. While he lacks the agility to consistently create separation, he has sufficient long speed to remain a vertical threat from any alignment.

Height: Height shows pass-rush ability with quickness and technique but must add strength to hold up consistently. His projection depends on maintaining athleticism as he develops physically.

Black: Black brings strong legs, good burst and the kind of effort coaches appreciate in a hard-nosed running style. However, his run game lacks true difference-making creativity, and his third-down usage is very limited.

Halton: Halton is an undersized, versatile defensive lineman who wins with quickness, effort and movement skills. His lack of strength can be an issue, but he fits well in multiple or movement-based fronts.

Willis: Willis is an undersized tackle at 6-foot-5 and 291 pounds but excelled as a run blocker at Washington, earning an 84.8 PFF run-blocking grade. His 32.88-inch arms ranked in the 19th percentile at the position, and he posted a 69.2 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2025, allowing two sacks, two hits and 18 hurries across 319 pass-blocking snaps. While his pass protection remains a work in progress, his run-blocking ability stands out as his defining strength.

Prysock: Prysock's length and speed fit well in man-heavy schemes, but he also showed capability in zone, where he earned a 73.2 PFF coverage grade in 2025. If he reduces penalties, he has a path to a starting role on the perimeter at the next level.

Dugger: Dugger's strongest trait at linebacker is his tackling, as he missed just 11.6% of his career attempts. However, sub-63.0 PFF grades in both coverage and run defense highlight limitations in his overall profile. While his 62.3 PFF special teams grade offers some value, teams may ultimately be drawn more to his athletic traits than his on-field production.

Cruz Jr.: Cruz started at left tackle for Syracuse in 2023 before losing the role in 2024 and transitioning to right tackle at Kansas in 2025, where he earned a 72.0 PFF overall grade. While generally consistent, he showed some volatility, including struggles against Texas Tech. His athletic profile stands out, as he tested in the 90th percentile or better among tackles in the 40-yard dash (4.94), 20-yard split (2.88), vertical jump (35 inches) and broad jump (9-foot-8).

For The Win (Christian D'Andrea, Wajih AlBaroudi, Cory Woodroof)

2026 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams from Giants 'A' to Jaguars 'huh?'

2026 Grade: D-
2025 Grade: B-

Analysis:
Best pick: Height. He can bring immediate third-down heat as an explosive edge rusher while filling out his game.

Sleeper pick: DT Gracen Halton. The 107th pick brought a pass-rushing interior presence who can reload the deep, quarterback-harassing front that the best Niners teams of the past decade-plus have all had.

Potential reach: Stribling. Rumors suggest the 49ers were interested in trading back even more after exiting the first round altogether. Stribling feels like a player they expected to take at pick 50, not with a borderline Day 1 selection. But, uh, there was plenty of competition for biggest reach here, because the Niners had a weird draft.