49ers focus on the trenches in Day 3 of draft, pick DL Gracen Halton, OL Carver Willis (paywall)
“The 6-foot-5, 303-pounder added that his lone season at Washington introduced him to the “exact same offense” as the 49ers.
“It was a more fast-paced, more fun offense, and I think I fit that scheme really well,” Willis said. “I’m very grateful to be part of that same offense going forward.”
49ers 2026 NFL Draft takeaways: Most needs were addressed, but where was the value? (Paywall) “The San Francisco
49ers spent Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft plugging holes on their roster and Day 3 shopping for size and upside.
Their first two picks on Saturday were trench players, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton and Washington offensive lineman Carver Willis. Halton, one of the fastest players at his position, figures to be part of the interior defensive line rotation this season, while coach Kyle Shanahan said Willis would have a chance to compete for the starting left guard spot.
One of their most intriguing picks came in the fifth round in linebacker Jaden Dugger. Though he began his college career as a safety, he’s one of the tallest (6-foot-4) and longest (35-inch arms) linebackers in this year’s draft class. He seems like someone who could handle the tight end matchups that flummoxed the 49ers last season. The fit between him and linebackers coach K.J. Wright — an ex-linebacker with similar height, weight and length — appears to be a good one.”
5 things to know about 49ers fourth-round pick OL Carver Willis
“It’s a different game inside in a little way,” Willis said. “Things get on you quicker, guys are a little bit bigger. So just that adjustment I think will be interesting. Then at center, there’s a center I train with who has talked to me and helped a lot throughout the process. His name’s Alex Forsyth. He’s been huge. He said center’s the hardest pre-snap position but one of the easier post-snap positions on the O-Line. For me, the adjustment to center will be a lot of pre-snap communications than I’m used to and making the calls and doing all that. That’ll be an adjustment, but one I think I’m very capable of doing.”
5 things to know about 49ers fourth-round pick CB Ephesians Prysock
“My oldest brother played corner,” Prysock said. “He went through some things though. He had cancer and that forced him to stop playing. He couldn’t play anymore after that. Now he teaches me a lot of the things I know now. He teaches me techniques and how to cover certain types of receivers.
“His story is one of my biggest things that keeps me going. He went through so much. We watch film together a lot and do things about football together. We have that with each other.”
49ers’ Day 3 draft picks speak to Bay Area reporters
“The San Francisco 49ers made five selections on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, and each spoke to reporters shortly after hearing their name called. Here’s what they had to say.”
5 things to know about 49ers fifth-round pick LB Jaden Dugger
“Dugger, who turned 22 in January, has taken an interesting path to the NFL and could be a player who needs more time to develop before seeing extended snaps for the 49ers. But, being a former defensive back with a 6-5, 240-pound frame, a 4.61 40, 35-inch arms, and 9 5/8-inch hands, he makes for an intriguing player to watch going forward. Here are some things to know about him as he joins the 49ers.”
John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan discuss the 49ers’ 2026 NFL Draft class
“San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters at the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, answering questions about the team’s eight selections and how they fit into the team’s plans. Here’s everything they said.”
5 things to know about 49ers fifth-round pick OL Enrique Cruz Jr.
“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.”
Rapoport: 49ers, Commanders remain locked in standoff over Brandon Aiyuk
“They are expected to release him. They just haven’t done it yet. What the 49ers would like to do is trade him. The Washington Commanders are expected to have interest—I would say significant interest—but they don’t want to make a move for him because they know that the 49ers are going to release him. And the 49ers don’t want to release him because they believe the Commanders want him, and would potentially trade for him, which is why we’re in this situation right now.”
49ers 2026 Undrafted Free Agent Tracker
“Notably, sometimes early reports refer to tryouts rather than actual signings, so details may change as confirmations come in. Additionally, a player may initially be reported as signing with the 49ers but ultimately sign with another team.”
