Five local prospects 49ers should target in fourth round of 2026 NFL Draft

SANTA CLARA — The value of the 49ers’ local pro day is generally to bring awareness of players who might slip through the cracks.At the conclusion of the seven-round NFL draft, teams are looking for players to sign as undrafted rookies to fill out their 90-man rosters.This year, however, the 49ers have some options to land local players with their assortment of fourth-round draft picks.The 49ers held their annual local pro day Wednesday, and several of the players in attendance are in the mix for the 49ers to choose in the 2026 NFL Draft.Here are the top local candidates to end up in a 49ers uniform:TE Sam Roush, StanfordAlthough he did not attend the 49ers’ local pro day, Stanford tight end Sam Roush is generally considered the top Bay Area draft prospect.Roush (6-foot-6, 267 pounds) capped his college career with 49 catches for 545 yards and two touchdowns.He is considered a top-10 player at his position and could be available when the 49ers are on the clock for their first of four fourth-round draft picks at No. 127 overall.Roush should have no issues picking up the complexities of the 49ers’ offense, as he graduated with a 3.8 grade-point average, a degree in computer science and multiple academic awards.TE Jack Endries, TexasThe 49ers are optimistic about George Kittle’s return from a torn ACL. General manager John Lynch last week did not rule out the possibility of Kittle getting back on the field for Week 1.But the 49ers also figure to be in the market to add a tight end.Tight end Jack Endries attended Monte Vista High in Danville and attended Cal, where he posted some good numbers with Fernando Mendoza as his quarterback in 2024.Mendoza transferred and became the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at Indiana, and Endries moved on to Texas. In his final college season, Endries caught 33 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns from Arch Manning.Endries (6-5, 245) declared for the draft with one season of eligibility remaining after redshirting as a freshman. He told NBC Sports Bay Area he earned his college degree and felt he was ready to take the jump to the NFL.“Why risk it and play another year of college and maybe get hurt when the door is open here” Endries said. “Even if I get drafted a round or two later, I’ve always been an underdog. I was a walk-on, so it’s really not a problem for me.”He is projected as a fourth-round draft pick, and somebody who could develop into a strong all-around NFL player.CB Julian Neal, ArkansasThe 49ers are likely to look to improve their depth in the defensive backfield. Cornerback Julian Neal, a San Francisco native, would be a nice addition at a position group where Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green are the starters.Neal, who attended Mission High, became the first San Francisco public school football player since 2001 to sign with a Division I program when he went to Fresno State in 2021.He grew up on Osceola Lane with a view of Candlestick Park in the Bayview/Hunters Point section.Neal primarily played wide receiver in high school but moved to cornerback as a freshman in college. Neal transferred to Arkansas for his final season. He led the team with two interceptions and 13 passes broken up. Neal (6-2, 203) showed his competitiveness at the NFL Scouting Combine being one of only six invitees to compete in every drill. He ran a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash.CB Collin Wright, StanfordCornerback Collin Wright earned an invite to the Senior Bowl coming off a standout career at Stanford, where he played all four seasons and was a team captain.Wright (6-0, 188) has good length and demonstrates toughness to stick his nose into the action to make tackles. That is an element of aggressiveness the 49ers demand from their cornerbacks.Although the 49ers are set at nickel back with Upton Stout, Wright brings some versatility to his game. He could be called upon to be a backup at all of the cornerback spots.He figures to be a Day 3 draft pick and a potential target for the 49ers, who have four picks in the fourth round.CB Hezekiah Masses, CalCornerback Hezekiah Masses is the kind of playmaker the 49ers do not currently have in the defensive backfield.Masses is a cornerback who has great ball production.He transferred from Florida International and took his game to another level in the ACC. Masses led FBS with 13 passes defended and five interceptions in his one and only season at Cal.Masses will get his first shot at cornerback, but there are a number of ways he could be deployed at the next level.Some teams might believe his highest ceiling is as a takeaway-generating safety. The 49ers appear to view Malik Mustapha as a no-doubt starter. But neither Ji’Ayir Brown nor Marques Sigle is a slam dunk to start alongside Mustapha.Massive figures to be attractive as a Day 3 draft pick.Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast

Five local prospects 49ers should target in fourth round of 2026 NFL Draft

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