What Dane Brugler had to say about every 49ers pick. Excerpts from "The Beast".
2.33 - De'Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
Stribling was an outside receiver, primarily to the left of the formation, in former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.’s scheme (also used on motions and in the backfield). The Hawaii native spent two years at Washington State and another two at Oklahoma State before helping Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff in 2025 (averaged 92.7 receiving yards in three Playoff games).
With his tall, muscular frame, Stribling quickly accelerates to his top speed and has quickness out of route breaks, even if he didn’t put the most versatile route inventory on film (hitches and go routes accounted for 57 percent of his route frequency in 2025). He has dependable hands (1.9 percent drop rate in 2025) and plays strong to the football, but needs to do a better job with his positioning downfield to finish tight-window throws. His smarts and willingness to do the dirty work are coach-pleasing qualities.
Overall, Stribling isn’t the most well-rounded in terms of his route success, but he is a big-bodied athlete with strong ball skills and a pro mindset. He has the talent and competitive toughness to settle into a WR2/3 role for an NFL offense.
3.70 - Romello Height (LB/Edge, Texas Tech)
Height formed a dynamic pass rush duo with fellow transfer David Bailey and posted 62 pressures in 2025, which ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 (behind Bailey) and No. 7 in the FBS.
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.
Overall, there aren’t many edge rushers with Height’s slender size profile who find sustained NFL success, but his twitchy get-off and rush movements can be weaponized by the right defensive play caller. He projects as a sub-down designated pass rusher in the NFL.
3.90 - Kaelon Black (RB, Indiana)
After four seasons at James Madison, he followed Curt Cignetti to Bloomington, where he emerged as a vital part of Indiana’s national title run. He and Hemby each topped 1,000 rushing yards in 2025, making them the only FBS pair to accomplish that feat, and Black led the Hoosiers in rushing yards in each of Indiana’s final four games (Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon and Miami).
A short, well-built back, Black runs balanced, low to the ground and consistently finds cracks at the line of scrimmage. Instead of gearing down ahead of impending contact, he bursts to accelerate into flat-footed defenders, and his physical run style helps him maximize each touch. Though mashing the gas pedal helps him produce, he could benefit from added patience to eliminate false-stepping cuts.
Overall, Black runs with light feet and punches above his weight class to consistently get more yards than expected. Once in an NFL camp, his ability to prove himself as a pass catcher will be critical to carving out a part-time role.
4.107 - Gracen Halton (DT, Oklahoma)
Halton played multiple alignments across the front in head coach Brent Venables’ scheme. While sharing defensive tackle duties with Jayden Jackson, he made his presence known in different ways (his 30 pressures in 2025 were the second most on the Sooners), despite not playing a high snap count (32.5 defensive snaps per game in 2025; 31.0 in 2024).
Halton is a win-early and clean-up-late player. He has outstanding get-off quickness for early disruption when he times the snap. (Alabama center Parker Brailsford called him the toughest player he faced in 2025, because of his initial quickness.) When he doesn’t do that, he switches to an edge-to-edge attacking mindset that leads to clean-up stops or sacks. He plays strong at the point in the run game, although he is inconsistent in shedding blocks.
Overall, Halton is sawed off and can be overwhelmed at times, but he moves with big-man twitch and his initial quickness and closing speed can be weaponized. A part-time role that keeps his battery charged will be his best NFL fit.
4.127 - Carver Willis (OG, Washington)
A one-year starter at Washington (and three-year starter overall), Willis lined up at left tackle in head coach Jedd Fisch’s offense. He didn’t have draftable grades based on his play at right tackle at Kansas State, but he joined the Huskies in 2025 and changed the narrative with his fit and performance as a super senior.
A fluid blocker, Willis shines on the move, when he can reach or steamroll defenders in the run game. He skillfully surfaces blocks in zone but can also be a lunger at times. He reaches proper depth in his kick slides, but his reaction quickness and hand use must improve on the interior, where everything is a little bit faster.
Overall, Willis is at his best sealing and finishing in the run game, but his ability to stay on an NFL field will depend on how he protects his edges and anchors in pass protection. He projects as a backup swing lineman, with the upside to be more.
4.139 Ephesians Prysock (CB, Washington)
A two-year starter at Washington (and three-year starter overall), Prysock was an outside cornerback (left and right) in defensive coordinator Ryan Walters’ scheme. After starting his career at Arizona, he followed his coaches to Seattle, where he became a solid starter for the Huskies and ultimately played his best ball as a senior.
A tall, long-limbed athlete, Prysock can carry receivers vertically or close on throws with linear burst. He uses his length to affect the catch point but tends to be handsy through routes and isn’t natural playing the football. He doesn’t consistently trust his technique or speed, which is the root of several of his issues, leaving him unbalanced and tardy to react.
Overall, Prysock has rare physical traits that are hard to find at the position, although he is still learning how to maximize those tools in coverage. He will appeal to both press-heavy and zone-based schemes as a developmental dart throw.
5.154 Jaden Dugger (LB, Louisiana)
A zero-star recruit, Jaden Dugger started to receive interest from FCS programs and committed to Georgetown. After two seasons as a safety, he wanted to challenge himself and move up to FBS, so he transferred to Louisiana. He moved to dime linebacker and edge (Sam and Jack) as a junior and then moved inside for his senior year in 2025, when he grabbed the attention of NFL scouts.
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. Overall, Dugger is an ascending player with a blend of size and reactive athleticism worth developing on the back end of an NFL roster or practice squad.
5.179 Enrique Cruz, Jr (OT, Kansas)
A one-year starter at Kansas (and a starter for two-and-a-half years overall), Cruz locked down the right tackle role in offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski’s balanced scheme. He showed promise as an underclassman left tackle at Syracuse, but he lost his starting job under a new staff in 2024. He transferred to Kansas for his final season of eligibility and moved to right tackle, where he earned All-Big 12 honors and an NFL Combine invite.
Barely graded by NFL teams entering the 2025 season, Cruz forced evaluators to take notice with his steadying play. More quick than explosive, he reaches landmarks well and has the size and length to tie up rushers. He flashes vice-grip hands when he connects, but his punch timing and overall hand usage are works in progress (see his reps versus David Bailey and Romello Height on the 2025 Texas Tech tape). He has functional strength, although it can be negated by spotty technique.
Overall, Cruz is still green in areas and learning how to use all his tools in unison, but the encouraging play on his 2025 tape gives NFL teams optimism. He could be an interesting Day 3 flier for a team running a zone scheme.