The San Francisco 49ers have pulled off what analysts are already calling one of the biggest heists of the 2026 NFL Draft, securing two potential cornerstone players in the fourth round with the selections of offensive lineman Carver Willis and cornerback Ephesians Prysock, both out of the University of Washington. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the league, the 49ers addressed two of their most glaring roster weaknesses with picks that many experts believe carry first-round talent and value. The selections, made at picks 127 and 139 respectively, represent a dramatic shift in strategy for a franchise that has often been criticized for reaching on players in the early rounds. This time, the Niners waited and let the board come to them, and the result is a pair of prospects who could immediately compete for starting roles.
The selection of Carver Willis at 127 overall is being hailed as a masterstroke by draft analysts who had him pegged as a potential third-round talent. Willis, a 24-year-old six-year senior who began his college career at Kansas State before transferring to Washington, brings a level of maturity and experience that is rare for a fourth-round pick. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 303 pounds, Willis is not the biggest offensive lineman in the draft, but his athleticism and football IQ more than compensate for any size concerns. He posted an impressive 79.9 overall Pro Football Focus grade last season with the Huskies, allowing just two sacks and 22 pressures across a full season of work. His ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line, including tackle, guard, and potentially even center, makes him an invaluable asset for a 49ers team that has struggled with depth and consistency up front.
Willis brings a unique blend of skills that perfectly align with the 49ers outside zone running scheme. He is exceptionally quick off the snap, gets into his pass sets rapidly, and demonstrates excellent range to cut off linebackers from the backside. His hand strikes are strong and accurate, typically arriving on time and with purpose. In the run game, he excels at sealing off defenders and finishing blocks with a tenacity that coaches love. However, his arm length of 32.5 inches is shorter than ideal for an NFL tackle, which is why many scouts project him moving inside to guard at the next level. Willis himself acknowledged this possibility after being drafted, telling the media he is willing to move inside and even hinted at learning center. This versatility is exactly what the 49ers need as they look to rebuild an offensive line that has been a weak point in recent seasons.
The 49ers front office has made no secret of their preference for athletic offensive linemen over massive road graders, and Willis fits that mold perfectly. He ran a 5.11 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, which is exceptional for a man his size. His ability to pull and get to the second level is a critical component of the 49ers offense, and Willis has shown he can do that effectively. He plays with a certain demeanor and confidence that some might find off-putting, but the 49ers coaching staff sees it as a positive. This is a player who loves football and is willing to take a pay cut from his college career to prove himself at the professional level. His work ethic is legendary within the Kansas State and Washington programs, and he is known as a film room junkie who constantly seeks to improve his craft.
The selection of Ephesians Prysock just 12 picks later at 139 overall may prove to be an even bigger steal. Prysock possesses a rare combination of size, length, and speed that is almost impossible to find in the later rounds of the draft. Standing over 6-foot-3 and weighing 196 pounds, he has the prototypical frame for an outside boundary cornerback in the NFL. He ran a blistering 4.45 40-yard dash at the Combine, posted a 39-inch vertical jump, and recorded a broad jump of over 10 feet. These are elite testing numbers that would have made him a first-round pick if he had been more polished in coverage. However, Prysock is still learning how to maximize his physical tools, which is why he fell to the fourth round. For the 49ers, this is exactly the kind of developmental dart throw that could pay enormous dividends.
Prysock started his college career at Arizona before transferring to Washington, where he played the last two seasons. He has extensive experience, appearing in 49 college games with 42 starts. His production is solid, with 21 pass breakups over his career, including eight in his final season. However, his interception numbers are low, with just two picks in his entire college career. This is a concern, but it is offset by his ability to track the ball in the air and his closing speed when he gets beat. He uses his length effectively to contest throws, and he rarely gets pulled out of position. The 49ers play a zone-heavy defense, and Prysock is ideally suited for that scheme. His ability to read quarterbacks and break on the ball should improve with NFL coaching, and his physical gifts give him a high ceiling.
The 49ers have a history of finding gems on Day 3 of the draft, and these two picks continue that tradition. The team entered the fourth round with four selections but traded one away, leaving them with three picks in the round. They used two of those picks on Willis and Prysock, and the early returns are overwhelmingly positive. The 49ers scouting department deserves significant credit for these selections, as they identified players who fit the team scheme and culture perfectly. Unlike the first three rounds, where head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch often have the final say, Day 3 is when the scouts take over, and their expertise is on full display here. These are players who were thoroughly evaluated over the course of the season, not just based on combine numbers or pro day performances.
The 49ers offensive line has been a source of frustration for years, and Willis represents a direct attempt to fix that problem. The team currently has no clear starter at left guard, and Willis could compete for that job immediately. His ability to play multiple positions gives the coaching staff flexibility, and his athleticism is a perfect fit for the outside zone scheme. The 49ers have prioritized athletic offensive linemen under Shanahan and Lynch, and Willis is the latest example of that philosophy. He may not be the biggest lineman, but he is quick, smart, and tenacious. He plays with a mean streak that the 49ers have lacked up front, and his experience against top competition in the Pac-12 and Big 12 should serve him well in the NFL.
On the defensive side, Prysock adds much-needed depth and competition to a cornerback room that has been inconsistent. The 49ers have invested heavily in the position in recent years, but injuries and underperformance have plagued the group. Prysock has the physical tools to push for playing time immediately, and his length and speed make him a valuable asset in zone coverage. He will need to refine his technique in press coverage, but the 49ers do not play much man coverage, so that weakness may not be as exposed as it would be on other teams. His durability is also a major plus, as he started 42 games in college and rarely missed time due to injury. The Washington coaching staff told NFL scouts that Prysock wants to be coached hard, and he will get that with the 49ers demanding defensive staff.
The 49ers remaining draft picks include selections at 154 and 179, and the team will look to add more depth and special teams contributors. However, the heavy lifting has been done, and these two fourth-round picks could define this draft class for the 49ers. Willis and Prysock both have the potential to be starters within the next two years, and if they reach that ceiling, the 49ers will have pulled off one of the biggest steals in recent draft history. The team has been criticized for reaching on players in the early rounds, but on Day 3, they let the board come to them and came away with two players who could be foundational pieces for years to come.
The reaction from analysts and fans has been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling these picks the best value selections of the entire draft for the 49ers. The team addressed two critical needs with players who have first-round physical traits and mid-round experience. Willis and Prysock are both older prospects, which means they are more NFL-ready than typical rookies. Willis is 24 years old, and Prysock is 23, meaning they have the maturity and experience to contribute immediately. This is a departure from the 49ers typical strategy of drafting younger, more raw players, but it reflects a sense of urgency from a team that believes its championship window is still open.
The 49ers have made it clear that they are all in on winning now, and these picks reflect that philosophy. Willis and Prysock are not projects; they are players who can step in and compete for playing time from Day 1. Willis will likely compete for a starting guard spot, while Prysock will battle for a role in the cornerback rotation. Both players have the skills and mindset to succeed in the 49ers system, and their addition instantly improves the team depth. The 49ers have been bitten by injuries in recent years, and having quality backups like Willis and Prysock could be the difference between a playoff run and a disappointing season.
The 49ers draft class so far includes wide receiver Dejon Stribbling in the second round, edge rusher Romelo Height in the third round, running back Kalon Black in the third round, defensive tackle Grayson Holton in the fourth round, and now Willis and Prysock. This is a well-rounded class that addresses multiple needs, but the steals of the draft are clearly Willis and Prysock. The 49ers have a history of finding value on Day 3, and these two picks continue that tradition. If Willis can develop into a starting guard and Prysock can become a reliable outside corner, this draft class will be remembered as one of the best in franchise history.
The 49ers front office deserves credit for being patient and letting the draft come to them. In previous years, they have been criticized for reaching on players in the early rounds, but this year they waited and got incredible value in the fourth round. Willis and Prysock are both players who were projected to go higher but fell due to concerns about position fit and development. The 49ers saw past those concerns and focused on the talent and potential. This is a sign that the scouting department is doing its job, and the team is finally making smart, calculated decisions in the draft.
The 49ers have a tough road ahead in the NFC, but these picks give them hope for the future. Willis and Prysock are both players who can contribute immediately and grow into key roles over time. The 49ers have been searching for answers on the offensive line and in the secondary, and they may have found them in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. This is a moment of celebration for 49ers fans, who have been waiting for the front office to make smart, value-based picks. The steals of the draft have arrived in San Francisco, and the rest of the league should take notice.
One selection is already being called a draft-day robbery.
