49ers spark fan reaction with surprising pre-draft interest in kicker

The San Francisco 49ers are casting a wide net as they evaluate prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. However, one reported area of interest—kicker—has sparked strong reactions from fans.

That's because the 49ers appear to have their kicking situation locked in after signing Eddy Piñeiro to a four-year deal. So why would the team explore adding another option?

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the 49ers are among several teams showing interest in Houston Cougars kicker Ethan Sanchez—a report that appears to have caught many fans off guard.

Ryan Fowler reported the same thing, describing the 49ers' interest as "extensive."

The 49ers currently hold just six picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with their final selections coming in the fourth round. If the team stands pat, it seems unlikely they would use one of those picks on a kicker like Sanchez, who is widely viewed as a borderline draft prospect or priority undrafted free agent.

Still, the reported interest may not signal draft intentions. Instead, it could indicate the 49ers are exploring options to manage the offseason workload at the position.

Sanchez played four collegiate seasons, spending three years at Old Dominion before transferring to Houston for his final campaign. In 2025, he converted 21 of 26 field-goal attempts and made all 43 extra points.

So how are fans reacting to the 49ers' reported interest? Here's a sampling of responses from social media platform X: