Report: 49ers showing 'extensive' interest in 2026 kicker prospect
The 49ers don't need a kicker, but it sounds as if they're doing their research on one in the 2026 draft.
The San Francisco 49ers just gave kicker Eddy Piñeiro a new contract, but that seemingly hasn't stopped them from looking at college kickers. San Francisco is reportedly one of four teams that've shown "extensive" interest in Houston kicker Ethan Sanchez, according to NFL and college football reporter Ryan Fowler . The Eagles, Commanders and Falcons are the other teams looking into Sanchez.
It's an odd report, especially considering Piñeiro's contract comes with $10 million guaranteed. Sanchez was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which recognizes college football's best kicker of the year. He made 21-of-28 field goal attempts and all of his extra points for the Cougars in 2025 and converted 56-of-72 field goals in 49 college games after playing three years at Old Dominion.
The level of "extensive" interest is also intriguing because the 49ers currently don't own any draft picks after the fourth round. It would be a shock for general manager John Lynch to use one of the team's four fourth-rounders on Sanchez, so perhaps the 49ers are doing their homework on a potential undrafted free agent well before the draft. This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL draft: 49ers reportedly have 'extensive' interest in this kicker