Will any rookie push to be a starter in 2026?

SANTA CLARA, CA - MAY 8: De'Zhaun Stribling #15 of the San Francisco 49ers poses for a photo during Rookie Minicamp at SAP Performance Facility on May 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) | Getty Images The San Francisco 49ers selected eight players in the 2026 NFL Draft, using a couple of trades to move down the board and take their guys in a unique draft class without much depth. The 49ers entered the draft holding only six selections, but moved back in the first and second rounds to acquire more capital for the 2026 draft and for 2027.

The headliner was wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, who was taken at No. 33 after San Francisco went back from No. 27 to No.

30 and then No. 33. The Stribling pick was seen as one of the more polarizing ones for the 49ers in the draft, with many pushing back on it as a perceived reach, given that he was seen as a consensus late second-round pick.

But, head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers staff were quite high on the Ole Miss product, who seems to be a quality fit in the offense with his size, play style, and athletic profile. Behind him, San Francisco took Texas Tech edge rusher Romello Height, Indiana running back Kaelon Black, Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton, Washington offensive lineman Carver Willis, Washington cornerback Ephesians Prysock, Louisiana linebacker Jaden Dugger, and Kansas offensive lineman Enrique Cruz. Could any of them realistically start for the 49ers in 2026?