SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The 2026 NFL draft has begun in Pittsburgh. The three-day event continues with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon ET).
The San Francisco 49ers drafted WR De’Zhaun Stribling with the first pick of the second round after trading out of the first round Thursday.
A full list of 49ers’ selections is below and will be updated with pick-by-pick analysis through the weekend.
Round 2, No. 33 overall: De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
My take: With Mike Evans and Christian Kirk either ostensibly on a one-year deal or actually on one, respectively, the 49ers’ need at receiver was obvious for this year and beyond. San Francisco kept its interest in Stribling relatively under wraps, which makes this pick a bit of a surprise, especially with so many other options at more pressing needs such as edge rusher, safety and guard.
Need for speed: The Niners didn’t just need a receiver, they needed to add some juice to that room after finishing last season without a single offensive player breaking the 20 mph mark with the ball in his hands, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Stribling should help in that regard after running a 4.36 second 40-yard dash at the combine. That speed should help him get on the field right away even if he’s not a day one starter.
Round 3, No. 70: Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech
My take: After fielding the worst pass rush in the NFL last year, the Niners waited a bit longer than expected to address it, but it’s no surprise they spent an early pick on a pass rusher. Height had 10 sacks and 58 pressures for the Red Raiders last year and he should have a chance to step into the specialized third-down pass rusher role Bryce Huff filled for the 49ers last season. With Huff off to retirement, the Niners needed another option off the edge even though Height’s size (6-foot-3, 239 pounds) doesn’t necessarily translate to contributing much on running downs right away.
How’s his health?: Height had a pair of significant shoulder injuries during his college career. The first came in 2020 when he was at Auburn, causing him to redshirt and requiring offseason shoulder surgery. The second came at USC in 2022, a right shoulder injury that also required surgery. Height played full seasons each of the past three years, however, compiling 22.5 sacks for USC, Georgia Tech and Texas Tech.
Round 3, No. 90: Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana
My take: Another year, another random running back swing by the Niners. With greater needs at safety and the offensive line, San Francisco opted for a running back who was projected by Scouts Inc. as the 213th best player available in the draft. The Niners’ history of misses on running backs in the middle rounds — Joe Williams, Tyrion Davis-Price, Trey Sermon and Isaac Guerendo — combined with their need for help elsewhere make this pick a real head-scratcher.
Whither Guerendo?: After the Niners used a fourth-round selection on Guerendo in 2024, he showed some promise in spot usage as a rookie. Last season, he didn’t get a single offensive touch, clearly falling down the depth chart. With second-year back Jordan James likely to get the first chance to back up Christian McCaffrey and Black entering the mix, Guerendo could be on the way out, whether via trade now or at cut-down day. Perhaps the Niners could pair him with a pick and move up Saturday, but either way, there’s not a clear path for Guerendo to expand his role in 2026.
What’s next: The 49ers have four picks in the fourth round (Nos. 107, 127, 133 and 139) and one in the fifth round (No. 189) to address their remaining needs at the aforementioned positions and for depth at other spots such as tight end and linebacker. But the chances of finding immediate difference-makers at any of those spots seem slim in a draft that has already seen the Niners make three trades to accumulate more picks.
Remaining picks
Round 4: No. 107
Round 4: No. 127
Round 4: No. 133
Round 4: No. 139
Round 5: No. 179
