49ers' late-round pick draws praise for ESPN's Field Yates
The 49ers' last pick could be a great fit on the team's offensive line in 2026.
The San Francisco 49ers made eight selections in the first five rounds of the 2026 NFL draft, but their final pick might be one of the better team fits. ESPN's Field Yates named offensive tackle Enrique Cruz Jr. as one of his favorite picks from the fifth round.
San Francisco got to work on the offensive line Saturday, taking offensive tackle Carver Willis in Round 4 and Cruz here. Cruz ran a 4. 94 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and has positional versatility that will serve him well in San Francisco.
Coach Kyle Shanahan prefers specific traits from his offensive linemen, including good length and the movement skills to play in space. Cruz packs both of those attributes. Cruz has played on both the left and right side of the offensive line, so the 49ers could have a quality insurance swing tackle if he pans out.
He's also experienced, with 30 collegiate starts to his name. Cruz was inconsistent in college, though, and lost his starting job after just 33 snaps in 2024 at Syracuse before he transferred to Kansas. The 49ers don't need Cruz to be the best Trent Williams, but his skillset is a good starting point for his NFL career.