DL: 2026 Draft Class

Originally posted by miked1978:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Everything they really need seems to be deep in this draft…ER, WR, S, IOL. They better not f**k this up lol

Yes its a good draft. I'm kinda torn because i'd like to use one of our higher picks to trade for a proven player.

We think its a good draft but 5 years from now you go look back at the players who got drafted in round 2 and you'll see 75% of them didnt live up to the hype.

If they play it right should be a good mix of trade, draft and FA

I think its crazy to act like expecting a team with supposed quality scouting to hit on a few picks in a draft is too risky. This draft isnt very top heavy but there will be plenty of good players that come out of the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Does anyone doubt that a team like Baltimore will walk out of the draft with several quality additions? The expectations for the 49ers should be the same and if they cant meet those expectations then it's time to start changing people out.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
I think its crazy to act like expecting a team with supposed quality scouting to hit on a few picks in a draft is too risky. This draft isnt very top heavy but there will be plenty of good players that come out of the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Does anyone doubt that a team like Baltimore will walk out of the draft with several quality additions? The expectations for the 49ers should be the same and if they cant meet those expectations then it's time to start changing people out.

💯

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
I think its crazy to act like expecting a team with supposed quality scouting to hit on a few picks in a draft is too risky. This draft isnt very top heavy but there will be plenty of good players that come out of the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Does anyone doubt that a team like Baltimore will walk out of the draft with several quality additions? The expectations for the 49ers should be the same and if they cant meet those expectations then it's time to start changing people out.

Completely agree. Hitting on draft picks shouldn't be viewed as a gamble--it's LITERALLY the f**king job. If this front office can't reliably find value outside the top of the draft, then someone's ass needs to be fired.

Lynch shouldve been moved up to President of football operations and a GM with a big time scouting background shouldve been hired. I'd just like to have the draft capital back they've wasted on WR's and RB's that never play. This team isnt one player away from winning the superbowl. Let's give away two firsts for Maxx Crosby. Terrible idea. This organization needs to get younger and stop drafting for need.

Originally posted by SanFranFanfrmVa:

Lynch shouldve been moved up to President of football operations and a GM with a big time scouting background shouldve been hired. I'd just like to have the draft capital back they've wasted on WR's and RB's that never play. This team isnt one player away from winning the superbowl. Let's give away two firsts for Maxx Crosby. Terrible idea. This organization needs to get younger and stop drafting for need.

Well Kyle or Jed would have to do something. Lynch holds both titles.

Joshua Josephs looks like Brandon Aiyuk playing edge. Freaky arm length/wing span at that height. There are some damn good pass-rushing edges in this class. If the 49ers don't walk away with one of them, it'll be an epic failure given player quality in conjunction with the need.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
I think its crazy to act like expecting a team with supposed quality scouting to hit on a few picks in a draft is too risky. This draft isnt very top heavy but there will be plenty of good players that come out of the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Does anyone doubt that a team like Baltimore will walk out of the draft with several quality additions? The expectations for the 49ers should be the same and if they cant meet those expectations then it's time to start changing people out.

I completely agree, I think Lynch is kinda on the hot seat right now…past two drafts have been good not great. They gotta come out of this off season with some legit talent, not just solid roster depth and good not spectacular talent.

We got enough young players that can fill up the roster and do their job. We need the next group of Warner/bosa/kittle/greenlaw/BA etc

Originally posted by Heroism:
Joshua Josephs looks like Brandon Aiyuk playing edge. Freaky arm length/wing span at that height. There are some damn good pass-rushing edges in this class. If the 49ers don't walk away with one of them, it'll be an epic failure given player quality in conjunction with the need.

He was one of the first names I mentioned, but im starting to see his name really start to pick up steam. Will be a 2nd rounder when all is said and done me thinks.

Originally posted by Heroism:
Joshua Josephs looks like Brandon Aiyuk playing edge. Freaky arm length/wing span at that height. There are some damn good pass-rushing edges in this class. If the 49ers don't walk away with one of them, it'll be an epic failure given player quality in conjunction with the need.

I feel like with Mykel last year gives us the run to go after guy like Josephs, Mason Thomas or Romello Height…aka more of the lighter speed rushers.

Let's hope whoever they bring in stay healthy and give us another top flight pass rusher.

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Joshua Josephs looks like Brandon Aiyuk playing edge. Freaky arm length/wing span at that height. There are some damn good pass-rushing edges in this class. If the 49ers don't walk away with one of them, it'll be an epic failure given player quality in conjunction with the need.

I feel like with Mykel last year gives us the run to go after guy like Josephs, Mason Thomas or Romello Height…aka more of the lighter speed rushers.

Let's hope whoever they bring in stay healthy and give us another top flight pass rusher.

Morris seems to favor those lighter pass rushers. Which is why I been watch DE's who are all at 250 pounds and under. I just don't believe DE's like Joey Bosa or Trey Hendrickson receive any interest from the 9ers like the media is speculating.

My three guys I've been focussing on are Cashius Howell, Gracen Halton and Zane Durant.

We added three guys to help the run game last year in Mykel, Collins and West. This year we need to add juice to the pass rush.

Howell is a monster off the edge. I like him at 27. I think he's better than R Mason Thomas and Joshua Josephs. But I like them both too.

Halton has an electric first step and is probably the best pass rusher of all the interior guys. I thought he would be available in the 4th but after he dominated the senior bowl I have him as a top 50 prospect and I hope he is available when we pick at 2.58

Zane Durant is a wrecking ball. I like him in the 4th but we might not take 3 DL again this year. Im
hoping for a vet like Onyemata.

DE- Cashius Howell / Sam Okuayinonu
5T- Mykel Williams / Keion White
NT- Alfred Collins / CJ West
3T- Gracen Halton / David Onyemata
DE- Nick Bosa / Bryce Huff

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Notable 2026 EDGE prospects' pass rush win rate in their final season (avg of 1st round picks since 2015 is 17.3%)

Rueben Bain - 23.5%
David Bailey - 21.6%
Akheem Mesidor - 20.8%
R Mason Thomas - 20.3%
Cashius Howell - 19.9%
Derrick Moore - 19.8%
Malachi Lawrence - 19.2%
Zion…

— Jack Brentnall (@Jack_Brentnall) February 17, 2026

Derrick Moore with the sneaky ~20% win rate. One of the few edges outside of the first that has the potential to be a 3-down end in the wide 9. He's going to be good value on day 2.