DL: 2026 Draft Class

Originally posted by Leathaface:
This is misleading because Byron Young was 25 when he was drafted. He's essentially an EDGE player for the Rams.

Byron Young was drafted in the 3rd round.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by Leathaface:
This is misleading because Byron Young was 25 when he was drafted. He's essentially an EDGE player for the Rams.

Byron Young was drafted in the 3rd round.

My bad. I should have read it better, lol.

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
We have a lot of needs, but if the last two games against Seattle proved anything, is it doesn't matter who is at WR when your QB is running for his life within .5 seconds every snap and there are zero rushing lanes for the RB. Also we had ZERO pass rush. They need to get the trenches right. They have had better overall luck with drafting trenches vs WR as well.

I am always for BPA in rd 1. With the current roster the only thing we don't need is a QB. They should take BPA ever single round this draft. But if they are trying to marry need with BPA def trenches over skill positions.

I would argue we've had better success at early WRs than we have early DL

DL hits
Bosa, Mykel and Alfred(TBD)

DL misses
Thomas, Kinlaw, Drake Jackson

WR hits
Aiyuk, Deebo, Pearsall(though maybe TBD)

WR misses
Pettis

I agree getting the trenches right should be priority but not at the cost of adding BPA.

Originally posted by genus49:
I would argue we've had better success at early WRs than we have early DL

DL hits
Bosa, Mykel and Alfred(TBD)

DL misses
Thomas, Kinlaw, Drake Jackson

WR hits
Aiyuk, Deebo, Pearsall(though maybe TBD)

WR misses
Pettis

I agree getting the trenches right should be priority but not at the cost of adding BPA.

I wouldn't call Mykel and Alfred hits, but they're trending in a positive direction. Pearsall is absolutely a hit--a big hit. He's just had terrible luck staying healthy, but nobody can deny he's a baller.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by genus49:
I would argue we've had better success at early WRs than we have early DL

DL hits
Bosa, Mykel and Alfred(TBD)

DL misses
Thomas, Kinlaw, Drake Jackson

WR hits
Aiyuk, Deebo, Pearsall(though maybe TBD)

WR misses
Pettis

I agree getting the trenches right should be priority but not at the cost of adding BPA.

I wouldn't call Mykel and Alfred hits, but they're trending in a positive direction. Pearsall is absolutely a hit--a big hit. He's just had terrible luck staying healthy, but nobody can deny he's a baller.

I agree, why I put TBD in there. Just didn't want to add a TBD category on its own. Figured most people understood it's too early to call it on those guys.

Malachi Lawrence's tape is very impressive. Tall, long body with small man moves. He checks a ton of boxes with length, bend, explosiveness. This guy knows how to rush the passer. He does a good job at attacking different pass sets and sequencing a number of different moves to set things up. The power game is lacking, but at 6-4, 247, he can easily add 10-15ish pounds. Anyone got an age for him? I also heard he's got 35" arms...no shot this dude's buzz doesn't keep building because the tape is good.

I don't get why he's flying under the radar. Are there medicals or off-field stuff? I can't find anything, but maybe I missed it.

Originally posted by Heroism:
Malachi Lawrence's tape is very impressive. Tall, long body with small man moves. He checks a ton of boxes with length, bend, explosiveness. This guy knows how to rush the passer. He does a good job at attacking different pass sets and sequencing a number of different moves to set things up. The power game is lacking, but at 6-4, 247, he can easily add 10-15ish pounds. Anyone got an age for him? I also heard he's got 35" arms...no shot this dude's buzz doesn't keep building because the tape is good.

I don't get why he's flying under the radar. Are there medicals or off-field stuff? I can't find anything, but maybe I missed it.

I think he is graded pretty fairly. Top 100 player. Might take a jump up after the combine where he should test fairly well and show off the arm length. What holds the projections back is his age. He's turning 25 in March. And his weight and play strength are low. Serious question marks in run support. He may be relegated to a pass rush specialist. And in that role, he doesnt have the elite twitchy type of athleticism of other players at the top of the board.

Will be an interesting draft for d line. Seems like we sold out last year in the draft to stop the run, and that still didnt work out. If we assume a healthy team, we have to be better against the run this year but need to have more of a threat on the edge. Whether that is blitzing LBs, a DPR, more stunts, whatever. We are desperate for some havoc up front. And I've been saying this for quite some time, draft somebody sub 260 that can fly and bring the heat.

Originally posted by 49ers808:

Originally posted by ritz126:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Niners are gonna get suckered into it again….

Florida DT Caleb Banks measured in at 6-6, 335 pounds at the Senior Bowl.

How many DTs have measured in at 6-6, 330+ and have run a sub-5.2 40-yard dash?

I can't believe the list would be very long...

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 23, 2026

you wouldn't want Banks? He is one of the few DT who can rush the passer i think the list of players who can do that this year are short

Woods, Banks, Halton Durant are my list who are DT who can really create some pressure on the inside . And Banks had a dominant Senior Bowl week

Dominant? I'd describe it as he got better as the week progressed. Hard pass on him; I don't see it

i guess i will disagree with the consensus here i think even think he is that raw. He is defenetly not a great run blocker but i think he is one of those guys who can be one of the best DT at rushing the passer from the inside. He is super explosive. dont get me wrong i would rather have Peter Woods or even Halton a round later (although i honestly doubt he makes it there) but i feel we have a strong DL stopping the run with West and Collins adding Banks part of the rotation and having him rush from the inside will be a pretty big asset on passing situations

I also think he is going to test really well at combine his tape against LSU was just outstanding and what sold me on him

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Joshua Josephs Cut Ups https://t.co/4qTrPMWoQ3 pic.twitter.com/zor14zdJj8

— jeremiah🐦?? (@NewEraMiah) February 23, 2026

Gabe Jacas is my guy in round 2 but I'd be ok with Jospehs too. He is very strong vs the run as well even though he is undersized. The lack of production is slightly concerning though.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
Niners are gonna get suckered into it again….

Florida DT Caleb Banks measured in at 6-6, 335 pounds at the Senior Bowl.

How many DTs have measured in at 6-6, 330+ and have run a sub-5.2 40-yard dash?

I can't believe the list would be very long...

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 23, 2026

The tweet should be "How many DTs have measured in at 6-6, 330+ and are liabilities in run defense?"

I'd be shocked if they drafted that type of player again. They'll steer clear of Javon Kinlaw this time.

Are you sure about this? Banks is 100% a Lynch/Shanahan pick. Athletic freak with size and speed. Oh and injury prone. So he will probably be the pick

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:
This draft has a lot of edge prospects. I would argue to even double dip on it.

If they don't they're doing themselves a disservice IMO.

I think we should draft one edge and one true 3T.

Depending on the health of Bosa and Mykel we are 4 deep at edge. Maybe 5 if we keep Huff and guarantee his option but that is unlikely.

Sam O played well and Keion White showed he can take snaps as a 5T and move inside in nickel

As of today we have 6 ends under contract (assuming we tender Sam O) and only 5 DT, three of whom were PS players last year:

If anything I think we might double dip on DT's this year.

Defensive tackle:

Alfred Collins
CJ West
Evan Anderson
William Bradley King
Sebastian Valdez

Defensive end:

Nick Bosa
Mykel Williams
Sam Okuayinonu
Bryce Huff
Keion White
Robert Beal

My guy is out here using Newton's second law to get after quarterbacks.

Originally posted by Heroism:
My guy is out here using Newton's second law to get after quarterbacks.

Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas on his smaller size for a pass rusher: "Mass times acceleration equals force" pic.twitter.com/fnowVcOCgM

— alex katson ???????? (@alexkatson) February 25, 2026

Your guy? YOUR GUY?!?!?!?

Haha jk. Man I hope he makes it to us in the 2nd tho I know he won't.