It wouldn’t be surprising if we get to the middle of the season and multiple members from the San Francisco 49ers’ rookie class have carved out a role in their first year.
De’Zhaun Stribling is predicted to fill the Jauan Jennings void, although I believe he’s closer to the mold and production of Deebo Samuel.
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If Kaelon Black can give the 49ers what Jordan Mason gave them, backing up Christian McCaffrey, they’d be thrilled. Black and Mason have similar battering-ram running styles.
Expectations should be tempered for rookie defensive linemen. It’s one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, positions to transition to. Romello Height and Gracen Halton were in college almost as long as Van Wilder. Their experience should soften the blow, but it will likely take them half the season to find their footing.
The only position more difficult than the defensive line is on the other side of the ball. A part of me believes that’s why the 49ers don’t use their best draft capital on the offensive line. Dominick Puni is not the norm. If Carver Willis starts and it’s not because of injury, that’d be the biggest surprise, and perhaps compliment, from this rookie class.
Ephesians Prysock would need to have enough ball production during training camp and the preseason to climb up the depth chart. Prysock may need an injury to crack the starting lineup.
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There are only so many options that you can list on a poll, so we couldn’t include Jaden Dugger and Enrique Cruz Jr. If you haven’t logged in to vote, the poll is listed below:
Potential injuries, players ahead of the rookie on the depth chart, etc. Those should factor into your belief about who will start the most games in 2026. Which player did you select?
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