The San Francisco 49ers would love nothing more than to prove to the rest of the football world their 2026 NFL Draft class wasn't a massive and questionable overreach.
Prior to training camp, there was very little information to base this hope on, but that's changed with just over a week of practices in the books. And with the preseason just a few days away, the Niners can finally aim to show off why they selected so many players well ahead of where consensus big boards had them.
Especially one particular riser, wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, whom San Francisco selected to kick off Round 2 with its first pick.
Stribling has gotten into the headlines, while others have been awfully quiet despite notable post-draft buzz.
With camp heating up, let's dive into a stock-watch report on the 49ers' rookie class.
49ers training camp rookie stock updates ahead of preseason
WR De'Zhaun Stribling
A minor hamstring injury in camp might've lessened Stribling's stock value a little bit, but he's certainly on the rise in light of fellow receiver Ricky Pearsall landing on season-ending injured reserve with a knee issue. Tack on veteran Christian Kirk being banged up at camp, and the rookie has a great context.
Like it or not, Stribling's speed and blocking prowess will have a bigger platform than originally anticipated. Coupled with positive camp reports citing said speed and separation, there's every reason to believe the first-year pro wasn't a reach.
For those wondering, De’Zhaun Stribling continues to thrive as pads are now on
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) July 31, 2026
Multiple plays already made on the day and showcasing ability to create separation vs press man
We'll see how he performs against other competition, but the buzz is growing
Stock: Up
DE Romello Height
Romello Height has been receiving some comparisons to former Niners pass-rusher Dee Ford, who was excellent at rushing the passer but shouldn't be asked to do much else than that.
Injuries, too, have been a concern... just like Ford.
Height was carted off the field with cramps early in practices, creating a scare, but he's subsequently missed time with an elbow injury, which is a more concerning development.
Still, the get-off and explosiveness is enticing despite his smallish size, and any improvement over San Francisco's NFL-worst 20 sacks from a year ago will be a good thing.
Stock: Up
RB Kaelon Black
Probably the biggest reach the 49ers made in the draft was on Kaelon Black, whom they selected in Round 3 despite the likelihood he could have been drafted late on day three instead.
That said, Black was handed a golden opportunity to showcase his talents in light of second-year pro Jordan James suffering broken ribs in practice. But that was short-lived in light of Black suffering an adductor injury, which will sideline him for a bit.
At least Black's brief time in the spotlight appeared exceptional, though.
Stock: Up
DL Gracen Halton
While Black might've been the biggest reach, Gracen Halton was perhaps the biggest steal from San Francisco's vantage point.
Yet there's been awfully little on his development, thanks to a bone bruise to his knee that's kept him sidelined.
It's unfortunate, considering all the changes the 49ers made to their defensive line this offseason. Halton was likely pegged to be a big part of the new-look unit, and the setbacks will certainly slow his maturation.
Stock: Down
OL Carver Willis
Carver Willis, a late riser during the draft, might've had a shot to secure the undetermined starting gig at left guard, but it appears as if it's second-year pro Connor Colby's job to lose.
Willis hasn't made much noise aside from that, but perhaps some preseason action will showcase a bit more thump.
Stock: Down
CB Ephesians Prysock
Like Halton, Ephesians Prysock probably generated the most positive buzz after the Niners' draft class was finalized, and San Francisco could use some reinforcements to its secondary.
After being relatively quiet during the first week of camp, Prysock started making plays when the pads came on, including pass breakups with the second- and third-string units.
This should go a long way toward him climbing the depth chart.
Stock: Up
LB Jaden Dugger
New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris certainly wants to play with the versatile Jaden Dugger a lot, but that said, it's hard to envision exactly what the rookie's role will be right away.
Some figure Dugger could serve as the strong-side SAM linebacker on base downs, but it appears as if Morris is giving embattled second-year pro Nick Martin a go at that.
It's not a bad development for Dugger, but it does temper lofty expectations at the moment.
Stock: Even
OL Enrique Cruz Jr.
The Athletic's Matt Barrows cited several coaches who said Enrique Cruz Jr. was off to a promising start, but other than that, there haven't been too many other developments.
This is to be expected, given Cruz was the 49ers' final pick of the draft and is a developmental prospect.
While Cruz's stock value remains low but even, an ankle injury suffered by Vederian Lowe could give the rookie more field time and a better track toward securing a swing tackle job right away.
Stock: Even
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