Trading has been the theme for San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, and after making two trades to ultimately get out of Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, Lynch opted to make a couple more in Round 2.
First, the Niners shipped off linebacker Dee Winters to the Dallas Cowboys for the No. 152 overall pick, then turned that pick into a package to execute another trade with the Cleveland Browns, sending the 152nd pick and No. 58 overall to receive Nos. 70 and 107.
It's an interesting move, and it indicates San Francisco wasn't fully thrilled with the level of talent available in the early rounds.
That said, finally back on the clock after taking Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling to kick off Round 2, Lynch and Co. used the 70th overall pick to select defensive end Romello Height out of Texas Tech.
49ers get their pass-rusher with Romello Height in Round 3
Height, a speed rusher who'll need more functional weight to be an every-down player, nevertheless goes to a situation where he doesn't have to be the impact pass-rusher right away. That job is reserved for Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, who are both coming back from torn ACLs suffered last year.
Thankfully, Height has room to grow into his 6-foot-2 frame, and fans will appreciate his non-stop energy and motor, which will allow him to win some one-on-one matchups right out of the gate.
After finishing dead last in sacks last season, the Niners needed to grab someone to infuse this portion of the defense.
Thanks to those in-draft trades, San Francisco had the necessary ammunition to grab a promising pass-rusher who could become a bigger X-factor in a year or two's time.
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