The San Francisco 49ers selected Texas Tech edge defender Romello Height with the sixth pick (No. 70 overall) in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The 49ers received this pick from the Cleveland Browns as part of their trade down from the No. 58 overall pick, which fell in the second round.


Height completed a six-year collegiate career with 111 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks while playing for Auburn, USC, Georgia Tech, and Texas Tech, per Sports Reference. His most productive season came in 2025 as a Red Raider, where he started 14 games and recorded 10 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hurries.

Height earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025. He was among the 49ers' top-30 visits to Santa Clara ahead of the draft.

Measurements


The following are the official measurements from the NFL Scouting Combine.


NFL Scouting Combine


The following are the official testing results from the NFL Scouting Combine.



Hometown


Dublin, GA

College Statistics


Season Team Class Pos G Solo Ast Comb TFL Sk
2020 Auburn FR LB 1 -- -- -- 0 0
2021 Auburn SO LB 9 6 13 19 3 0
2022 USC SO DE 2 -- -- -- 0 0
2023 USC JR DE 12 11 9 20 6 4
2024 Georgia Tech SR DE 12 18 16 34 6.5 2.5
2025 Texas Tech SR DE 14 21 17 38 11.5 10
Total 50 56 55 111 27 16.5


Scouting Report


Lance Zierlein's NFL.com scouting report:
An edge defender with a lean, angular frame, Height will need a heavy dose of weight-room work to compete at the pro level. His rush is fast and relentless. He uses long strides to challenge at the top and can leap inside the protection. However, his lack of play strength and contact balance allow blockers to bounce him around. Height needs to improve his skill level and refine his approach if he's going to make an impact as a designated pass rusher, but he has the talent to cause some chaos in the pocket.

NFL.com Draft Bio:



Pre-Draft Grade:
Height earned a pre-draft grade of 6.19 from NFL.com, which equates to a "good backup with potential to develop into a starter," per the site's 8-point grading scale.

Projection:
NFL.com projected Height to be a third-round draft pick.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) Grades:
Romello Height is an edge defender for the Texas Tech Red Raiders who earned a 92.9 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 1st among 852 qualified edge defenders. His PFF pass-rush grade of 92.7 ranked 4th among 852 qualified edge defenders. His run-defense grade of 64.9 ranked 559th at the position.

More Draft Analysis


PFF's Analysis:
Height shows pass-rush ability with quickness and technique but must add strength to hold up consistently. His projection depends on maintaining athleticism as he develops physically.


Dane Brugler of The Athletic's Analysis:
On the hoof, Height looks more like a stack linebacker than edge defender, and his measurables fall below NFL thresholds. But keeping him blocked is easier said than done. His combination of initial quickness, sudden feet and active hands helps him slither around roadblocks and close in a flash. He flashes speed to power to put blockers in reverse, although he needs a runway to create enough force. He will be overwhelmed at times in the run game but does offer the versatility to peel off and cover zones or wheel routes.

Eric Edholm of NFL.com's Analysis:
Height turns 25 next week, and his build might restrict him to being a 3-4 OLB rusher. He's just OK against the run but has some tangible rush talent worth mining and is a better athlete than advertised.

Todd McShay of The Ringer's Analysis:
The best-case outlook for Height is that he emerges as a 20-25-snap-per-game edge who winds up outplaying his draft slot as a high-end subpackage weapon. He's a high-motor, high-flexibility pass rush specialist with real third-down value, but his age, frame, and run-defense limitations cap his role as a situational defender at the next level. Josh Uche (Dolphins) is a great comp. Both guys were late-college career breakout players and undersized but dynamic pass rushers who are very limited in run defense.

Mike Renner of CBS Sports' Analysis:
Height knows how to rush the passer as well as anyone in this draft class. At under 240 pounds, though, that may be all you're getting from the Texas Tech defender.

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