The San Francisco 49ers aren't getting much love for their 2026 NFL Draft class, receiving a wide array of criticism for the reaches and questionable picks.
One player, however, who isn't garnering criticism is the Niners' fourth-round selection of Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton.
At No. 107 overall, the 6-foot-3 and 293-pound lineman wasn't overly critiqued as a reach, and several outlets have tabbed him as San Francisco's best pick in the draft.
Now, ESPN's Matt Miller (an admitted 49ers fan) wasn't enthusiastic about the Niners' draft class overall, and he didn't hesitate to point that out on his list of the draft's 100 best picks, steals and fits.
In fact, there was only one player from San Francisco's class who cracked the list.
By this point, you probably figured out it was Halton.
Gracen Halton lands on ESPN's list of best picks, fits and steals
The 49ers have already raved about Halton's immediate impact, highlighting how much the Sooners team captain generated rave reviews for his high energy and on-field disruptive presence.
Miller didn't shy away from singing Halton's praises, too:
The 49ers' draft class featured reach after reach, so Halton is their only representation on this list. A penetrating defensive tackle, he checks off a need and has 4.82 speed at 6-3, 293 pounds. Halton is a slashing pass rusher with the ideal body type to play the 3-technique position similar to Osa Odighizuwa, whom the 49ers traded for this offseason. They could rotate, even early in the season.
It's not hard to envision the plan here. The Niners' interior run defense was abysmal for much of 2025, and while injuries certainly played a role, reinforcing the defensive line had to be a priority, both against the run and the pass.
Halton, while he might not be a day-one starter, checks off the box of someone who can not only limit those interior rushing attempts but also disrupt the pocket from the inside on passing downs.
That's a good asset for San Francisco to have, and Miller certainly acknowledged that.
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