The San Francisco 49ers have not stopped moving in the 2026 NFL Draft, adding two more selections to their already impressive haul as the team continues to reshape its roster with an eye toward both immediate impact and long-term development. The picks, linebacker Jaden Duggar out of Louisiana and offensive tackle Enrique Cruz from Kansas, came in the fifth round at picks 154 and 179 respectively, and they represent the latest moves in a draft that has seen the franchise aggressively target specific traits and potential over pure value. The 49ers, under the leadership of general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, have now made eight selections in this draft, and the final two choices highlight a clear philosophy of betting on athleticism and upside, even if it means reaching beyond where consensus rankings had these players slotted. The announcement came during the latest episode of the 49ers Report, where host Chase Senior broke down the selections with a mix of analysis and cautious optimism, noting that while the picks may not have been the best value on paper, they fit a pattern of the team taking chances on players with unique physical gifts and room to grow.
Jaden Duggar, the linebacker from Louisiana, is a player who embodies the kind of developmental project that the 49ers have often targeted in the middle rounds of the draft. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 242 pounds, Duggar possesses an extraordinary wingspan of 84 inches, with arms that measure 38 inches, giving him a physical profile that is almost unheard of for an off-ball linebacker. His athletic testing was also impressive, as he ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, showing the kind of speed that can translate to coverage at the next level. However, the numbers that truly stand out are the draft board rankings, which show just how much of a reach this selection was compared to where Duggar was projected to go. According to data from NFL Mock Draft Database, Duggar was ranked 302nd overall on the big board, meaning the 49ers took him 148 picks ahead of his expected slot, a massive gap that raises questions about whether the team could have waited and still landed him later in the draft. Senior pointed out that this is a recurring theme for the 49ers in this draft, with several other picks also coming well ahead of their projected value, including wide receiver Dejon Stribbling at 58 picks early and running back Kalon Black at 90 picks early. The only selection that seemed to offer solid value was defensive tackle Grayson Holton, who was taken close to his expected range.
Duggar’s background is unusual for a linebacker, as he began his college career at Georgetown before transferring to Louisiana, where he made the switch to the position and quickly became a standout. In 2025, he was named an All-Sun Belt performer after leading his team with 125 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss, and he added four pass breakups, one interception, and one forced fumble. His playing style is aggressive and instinctive when he sees the ball, as he flies to the point of attack with a relentless motor, but his instincts are still raw, a byproduct of only playing the position for a few years. Senior noted that Duggar has the potential to cover tight ends at the next level because of his length and athleticism, but he will need significant development before he can be trusted in a starting role. The 49ers have a history of taking linebackers with safety backgrounds, and Duggar fits that mold, having transitioned from a defensive back role early in his college career. The team is deep at the position, with Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw leading the way, and the recent trade of De’Vondre Campbell cleared some space, but the roster still includes players like Garrett Wallow and Tatum Bethune, who are not guaranteed to make the final cut. This depth allows the 49ers to take a chance on a player like Duggar, who can be stashed on the practice squad and developed over time, learning from one of the best linebacker rooms in the NFL.
The second pick of the segment was Enrique Cruz, an offensive tackle out of Kansas who brings a different kind of value to the table. Cruz started 30 games in his college career, with experience at both left and right tackle, making him a proven swing option who can provide depth at a position where injuries often test a team’s depth. He spent four years at Syracuse before transferring to Kansas for his final season, and his measurements are solid for the position, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 313 pounds, with 33.75-inch arms and an 82.75-inch wingspan. His athletic testing was also respectable, as he ran a 4.94-second 40-yard dash, showing the kind of movement skills that fit well in the 49ers’ zone-blocking scheme. However, like Duggar, Cruz was taken ahead of his projected value, with the big board ranking him at 279th overall, meaning the 49ers took him 100 picks early. Senior noted that while Cruz has the tools to be a useful backup, he has clear flaws that need to be addressed, including a tendency to play too tall, which can lead to him being overpowered by stronger edge rushers, and occasional impatience in his blocking technique that can cause him to miss blocks in the outside zone scheme.
Pro Football Focus grades for Cruz in 2025 were not overwhelming, with an overall grade of 70.3, a pass-blocking grade of 67.3, and a run-blocking grade of 69.9, along with two sacks allowed and four penalties. Despite these numbers, Senior expressed optimism about the pick, noting that the 49ers have a clear need for offensive line depth, and Cruz’s ability to play both tackle spots gives the team flexibility. The scouting report from Dane Brugler, a respected draft analyst, described Cruz as a player who is still green in areas but has encouraging tape from 2025 that gives NFL teams optimism about his potential. Brugler specifically highlighted Cruz’s fit in a zone scheme, which is exactly what the 49ers run, and noted that his quickness is good enough to get out of his stance and reach his spot in a timely manner. The issue, as Brugler pointed out, is that Cruz can get too upright as a run blocker, leading to missed blocks, and he can be overpowered by stronger edge rushers, but his feet and hips operate in a symbiotic way that gives him good range. Senior emphasized that while Cruz may not be a starter right away, he provides valuable depth and could develop into a reliable swing tackle with time and coaching.
The 49ers’ draft class as a whole now includes eight players, with the earlier selections being wide receiver Dejon Stribbling in the second round at 33rd overall, edge rusher Romelo Height in the third round at 70th overall, running back Kalon Black in the third round at 90th overall, defensive tackle Grayson Holton in the fourth round at 107th overall, guard Carver Willis in the fourth round at 127th overall, and cornerback Ephesians Price in the fourth round at 139th overall. The team also selected two players from Washington in Price and Willis, who were taken just 12 picks apart, showing a clear preference for players from that program. Senior noted that the 49ers have now addressed multiple positions of need, including wide receiver, edge rusher, running back, defensive tackle, offensive line, and linebacker, but the value of the picks has been a point of contention. The data from SF Data Ners showed that only one pick, Grayson Holton, was taken close to his projected value, while the others were significant reaches, with Stribbling going 58 picks early, Height seven picks early, Black 90 picks early, Willis 59 picks early, and Price five picks early. Duggar and Cruz were the biggest reaches of all, at 148 and 100 picks early respectively, which raises questions about whether the 49ers could have traded back or waited to land these players later in the draft.
Despite the value concerns, Senior expressed a positive overall outlook on the draft class, noting that the 49ers have added a lot of talent and athleticism to their roster. He praised the team for taking chances on players with high upside, even if it means reaching, and he highlighted the importance of developing these players over time. The 49ers have a strong track record of developing late-round picks and undrafted free agents, and the hope is that Duggar and Cruz can follow in that tradition. Senior also noted that the team’s depth at linebacker and offensive line allows them to be patient with these players, giving them time to learn and grow without the pressure of immediate playing time. For Duggar, the path to the roster will likely go through the practice squad, where he can refine his instincts and technique while learning from Warner and Greenlaw. For Cruz, the path is clearer, as he can serve as a backup swing tackle and potentially compete for a roster spot based on his versatility.
The 49ers’ draft strategy has been a topic of intense debate among fans and analysts, with some praising the team for taking bold swings and others criticizing the lack of value. Senior acknowledged the criticism but urged viewers to wait for the full draft grades before making final judgments. He promised a comprehensive breakdown of every pick in a future video, where he will assign a grade on a scale of one to 100 and provide a detailed analysis of each player’s fit with the team. For now, the focus is on the two newest members of the 49ers family, Duggar and Cruz, and what they bring to the table. Duggar’s combination of size, length, and athleticism is rare for a linebacker, and if he can develop his instincts and coverage skills, he could become a valuable piece in the 49ers’ defense. Cruz’s experience and versatility make him a solid addition to the offensive line, and his fit in the zone scheme gives him a chance to contribute down the line. The 49ers have made it clear that they are building for the future, and these two picks are a testament to that philosophy.
As the draft winds down, the 49ers have no picks remaining, meaning their 2026 class is complete. The team will now turn its attention to undrafted free agency, where they will look to add more depth and competition to the roster. Senior noted that the 49ers have a history of finding gems in the undrafted pool, and he expects them to be active in that market. For now, the focus is on the eight players who were selected, and the excitement is palpable among the fan base. The 49ers have kept it rolling, adding two more pieces to a puzzle that they hope will lead to a Super Bowl run in the coming years. The draft grades will be coming soon, and Senior promised a thorough evaluation of every pick, including the reaches and the steals. For now, the message is clear: the 49ers are not afraid to take chances, and they believe in their ability to develop talent. The 2026 draft class may not have the highest value on paper, but if the players hit their potential, it could be one of the best in recent memory. The journey is just beginning for Duggar and Cruz, and the 49ers are ready to help them reach their full potential.
San Francisco keeps stacking talent at a rapid pace.
