The 49ers received this pick as part of a trade with the Baltimore Ravens, who traded up to San Francisco's No. 133 selection. Baltimore also included a 2027 sixth-round pick in the deal.
Dugger split his four-year collegiate career between Georgetown and Louisiana, totaling 222 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. During a breakout 2025 season at Louisiana, he earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors after leading the team with 125 tackles and recording an interception.
Following his senior year, Dugger accepted an invitation to participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.
Measurements
The following are the official measurements from the NFL Scouting Combine.
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 240 lbs
Hometown
Pittsburgh, PA
College Statistics
| Season | Team | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int |
| 2024 | Louisiana | JR | LB | 14 | 22 | 15 | 37 | 4 | 1 | -- |
| 2025 | Louisiana | SR | LB | 13 | 64 | 61 | 125 | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| Total | 27 | 86 | 76 | 162 | 17 | 5 | 1 |
- 2022: Played safety
- 2023: Second Team All-Patriot; played safety
- 2024: Played Sam and Jack linebacker
- 2025: First Team All-SBC; led team in tackles; moved to inside linebacker; East-West Shrine Bowl
Scouting Report
Lance Zierlein's NFL.com scouting report:
Rangy former safety still in the infant stages of learning the off-ball linebacker spot. Dugger has a stretched-out frame with exceptional length and room to add more muscle throughout. He's inconsistent when it comes to diagnosing blocking schemes/play designs and needs significant work with block take-ons inside the box. He has the speed to run down wide-flowing backs and is an above-average wrap-and-finish tackler in space. The production and traits are intriguing, but Dugger needs more schooling and physical development before becoming an NFL linebacker.
NFL.com Draft Bio:
- 2022 (Georgetown): Played in 10 games with 3 starts at S (22 tackles, 2 PBUs).
- 2023 (Georgetown): Second-team All-Patriot League. Played in all 11 games with 9 starts at S (41 tackles, 4 TFLs with 3 sacks, INT, 7 PBUs, FF).
- 2024: Played in all 14 games with 3 starts at LB (37 tackles, 4 TFLs with 1 sack, 2 PBUs, FF).
- 2025: First-team All-Sun Belt Conference. Led team with 125 tackles. Started all 13 games (13 TFLs with 4 sacks, INT, 3 PBUs, FF).
Pre-Draft Grade:
Dugger earned a pre-draft grade of 5.68 from NFL.com, which equates to a "candidate for the bottom of a roster or practice squad player," per the site's 8-point grading scale.
Projection:
NFL.com projected Dugger to be a priority free agent.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) Grades:
Jaden Dugger is a linebacker for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns who earned a 63.5 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 555th among 809 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 58.1 ranked 508th among 809 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 65.6 ranked 600th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 69.3 ranked 221st among qualified linebackers.
More Draft Analysis
Dane Brugler of The Athletic's Analysis:
Dugger has remarkable size, with a lean, filled-out build and go-go gadget arm length. His instincts and communication skills as a Mike 'backer are still maturing, but he adapted quickly to the new position because of his ability to see ball-get ball. When he keeps himself clean, he has sideline range and can open and run. He explodes through his hips as a tackler, although he has to improve the consistency of his details as a flow tackler. He hasn't yet fully realized how to weaponize his long arms to combat blockers, but he plays with toughness to battle through contact. As a former safety, he looks comfortable dropping in space and has match-man potential against tight ends.
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