With San Francisco 49ers rookies officially reporting to the SAP Performance Facility on July 18, all eyes will be on the team's newest draft class as first-year players look to prove they can contribute during the 2026 NFL season.
The good news for the 49ers is that there are no contract standoffs to worry about. San Francisco signed all eight of its draft picks ahead of training camp, ensuring head coach Kyle Shanahan will have every rookie available from Day 1.
The transition from college football to the NFL is rarely seamless, and every rookie faces a steep learning curve. Still, several members of the 49ers' draft class have a legitimate opportunity to earn meaningful roles early.
Here are four draft picks who will be among the most closely watched players throughout training camp.
WR De'Zhaun Stribling (Round 2, No. 33 overall)
Profile: 6-2, 207 lbs, Ole Miss
The situation: Despite the 49ers adding veteran receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk this offseason, De'Zhaun Stribling has a realistic chance to carve out a role as a rookie. Shanahan's offense values physical, versatile receivers who can contribute as blockers in the run game, and Stribling fits that mold while also bringing intriguing downfield speed. Although his college production wasn't eye-popping, the 49ers were drawn to his upside and believe he has the tools to win at every level of the field.
What to watch: Fortunately for Stribling, he won't be asked to shoulder a heavy workload immediately. Instead, the focus will be on building chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy and earning the coaching staff's trust. If he consistently makes plays throughout camp, Stribling could emerge as a surprise weapon for the 49ers' passing attack, which ranked fifth in the NFL last season.
DE Romello Height (Round 3, No. 70 overall)
Profile: 6-3, 239 lbs, Texas Tech
The situation: The 49ers recorded an NFL-low 20 sacks last season, struggling to generate consistent pressure after Nick Bosa suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Romello Height was drafted with the hope that his explosive first step and pass-rushing ability can help inject much-needed juice into the defensive front.
What to watch: One-on-one pass-rush drills against the 49ers' veteran offensive tackles will be one of the biggest measuring sticks. If Height consistently wins those matchups, he could quickly earn snaps as a situational pass rusher. The bigger question is whether he can develop into a complete edge defender. While he earned an outstanding 92.7 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025, his 64.9 run-defense grade highlights room for improvement.
RB Kaelon Black (Round 3, No. 90 overall)
Profile: 5-9, 208 lbs, Indiana
The situation: Christian McCaffrey handled a league-high and career-high 413 touches last season, carrying a massive workload while helping lead the injury-riddled 49ers back to the playoffs. Shanahan has long wanted to lessen that burden but has yet to find a trustworthy substitute. The hope is that Kaelon Black can finally become that player.
What to watch: Black possesses the size, athleticism, and physical running style to succeed at the NFL level. The biggest question is whether he can quickly adapt to Shanahan's outside-zone running scheme, where vision and split-second decision-making are critical. He'll also need to demonstrate that he can be a reliable three-down option by contributing as both a runner and receiver.
CB Ephesians Prysock (Round 4, No. 139 overall)
Profile: 6-3, 196 lbs, Washington
The situation: Once the roster is finalized, Ephesians Prysock is expected to be the tallest defensive back on the team. His rare length and physical traits made him an intriguing draft selection. With continued development, he could earn a rotational role behind Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green while providing valuable depth in the secondary.
What to watch: The biggest question is whether Prysock can consistently match up against speedy, shifty NFL receivers. Daily practice reps against veterans like Evans will provide an early test, but the true evaluation may come during the 49ers' joint practices with the Tennessee Titans (August 11) and Los Angeles Chargers (August 18). If he can keep up with receivers and avoid excessive downfield grabbing, Prysock could put himself in a position to contribute early in his career.
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