Top 5 Players You'll be Watching in the Preseason

OnTheClock · 2026-04-27T16:38:22-07:00

Of our 16–man rookie class, who are your top five you're most interested in watching? Obviously we'll be watching them all, but there's definitely a few I'm most intrigued by when it comes to areas with the greatest chances for someone to steal a final spot on the 53. I'll kick us off: 1. WR De'Zhaun Stribling I'll be eager af to see if Stribling can do some things that soothe the concerns I had in scouting him. While I greatly disagreed with the value, I hope he can prove me wrong sooner rather than later. 2. OG Carver Willis Seeing how he transitions inside will be very interesting to watch. His athletic testing was pretty similar to Chase Bisontis so I'm not too worried about strength. I know he can run block. It's the pass protection I want to see most. 3. NT Bryson Eason I really like what I saw on tape and feel like we need what he offers. Seems like a poor man's Kenneth Grant. Our DT group needs another run stuffer like him. 4. LB Jaden Dugger Super excited about all the ways he can be used to find mismatches. Had fantastic read and react at the Shrine Bowl. 5. DE Mikail Kamara He's got tools to contribute as a rotational pass rusher. He was unlucky to have his first down year last year but the prior two years combined for a whopping 17.5 sacks and 33.5 TFL. Kid can play and with Chris K coaching him could really flourish here if he got the opportunity.

Apr 27, 2026 at 4:51 PM

49ers81
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Posts: 2,821

I think there's some really interesting picks in this draft. I'm with you on Stribling. I'm also curious to see Halton, and Height. They also had a TE they signed as an UDFA and gave $275K in guaranteed money to named Khalil Dinkins. He was mostly a blocking TE in college, and the highlight clips they had just showed him planting guys on play after play. Be nice to get someone with that kind of attitude in to give Luke Farrell some competition.

Apr 27, 2026 at 5:20 PM

49ers808
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Posts: 16,599

1. D-Strib
2. Height
3. Halton
4. Ephesians
5. Pauling

Apr 27, 2026 at 5:24 PM

Alfienator
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The round 4/5 picks.

Apr 27, 2026 at 6:22 PM

JaggedJ
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OL/DL rookies

Apr 27, 2026 at 7:37 PM

genus49
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I'd love for guys like Stribling, Height and Willis or Cruz to show enough in camp that the team doesn't play them as much(aka they're going to rely on them to play serious snaps)

so I'd like to see Duggar, Kamara, Prysock, Halton and Stroman.

Apr 27, 2026 at 8:10 PM

49AllTheTime
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Posts: 72,577

All of them

Apr 27, 2026 at 8:42 PM

OnTheClock
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Originally posted by 49ers81:
I think there's some really interesting picks in this draft. I'm with you on Stribling. I'm also curious to see Halton, and Height. They also had a TE they signed as an UDFA and gave $275K in guaranteed money to named Khalil Dinkins. He was mostly a blocking TE in college, and the highlight clips they had just showed him planting guys on play after play. Be nice to get someone with that kind of attitude in to give Luke Farrell some competition.

Was definitely gonna give honorable mention to Dinkins. He reminds me of Jennings and Kittle the way he blocks. Love it. Farrell was pathetic at sustaining blocks and Brayden Willis is even more horrendous, constantly getting blown up due to lack of size and strength. At minimum, I think Dinkins should be able to beat out the latter.

Apr 28, 2026 at 1:41 AM

KiwiM
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Will Pauling - WR. He is going to be in a battle with Jacob Cowing. Very productive. Athletic player. Real speed. Can't wait to see how he goes.

Apr 28, 2026 at 7:18 AM

Chance
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Posts: 5,417

Originally posted by KiwiM:
Will Pauling - WR. He is going to be in a battle with Jacob Cowing. Very productive. Athletic player. Real speed. Can't wait to see how he goes.

It seems we don't have a punt returner, so that might be the difference in who our final WR is.

Apr 28, 2026 at 8:39 AM

#10

Giedi
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Posts: 33,959

Kurtis Rourke, I'd like to see him have extensive playing time. He's a rookie red shirt as far as I'm concerned. Then of course all the rookies and the undrafted's.

I'm hoping Kurtis is so good that ShanaLynch is forced to trade Mac Jones for a couple of day two draft picks. Hey, dreaming is free you know!

Apr 28, 2026 at 9:30 AM

#11

jakedogg
Member
Posts: 151

Rourke should start all 3 preseason games and play well into the 3rd quarter. So should Cruz and that Halton fellow. Season starts and they go back to the bench.

Apr 28, 2026 at 9:38 AM

#12

glorydayz
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Posts: 15,513

I want to see them all, but I do think our older guys will struggle against better competition when they are not the elder statesmen on the field.

Has there been an older rookie that comes in at 25 years old and dominates in the NFL?

Apr 28, 2026 at 9:38 AM

#13

49er-from-Yavin-IV
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Posts: 7,602

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
All of them

Agreed. I'm looking for any of these guys (drafted or UDFA) to make an impact and for the coaches to have a plan to develop them.

Apr 28, 2026 at 10:17 AM

#14

LasVegasWally
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Posts: 24,856

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
All of them

Amen to that.