When the San Francisco 49ers made their first-round picks in the NFL Draft, all eyes were on whether those players would still be on the board when the team was on the clock again. But now that the dust has settled, it's time to shift the spotlight to the later rounds—specifically, the Day 3 selections that could surprise everyone in 2026.
The question on every fan's mind: Which late-round gem will have the biggest impact this season? The candidates are offensive linemen Carver Willis and Enrique Cruz, defensive tackle Gracen Halton, linebacker Jaden Dugger, and cornerback Ephesians Prysock.
If we're talking about the clearest path to playing time, Halton stands out. The 49ers' interior defensive line lacks a proven pass-rushing threat beyond Osa Odighizuwa. While the team hopes Mykel Williams develops into a disruptive force inside, Halton will compete for snaps alongside last year's rookie tackles, Alfred Collins and C.J. West—both of whom are known more for stopping the run than pressuring the quarterback. Keion White can also rush from the interior, but that's where the depth gets thin. For a defense that needs more juice up the middle, Halton's opportunity is wide open.
On the offensive line, Carver Willis took most of his interior reps during the all-star circuit, logging 37 snaps at left guard, 17 at right guard, and two at center at the Senior Bowl. During the regular season? Just two snaps at left guard. That's a steep learning curve. For context, Dominick Puni made a seamless transition from left tackle to right guard as a rookie, but such success stories are rare. The 49ers would be thrilled if Willis emerges as a starter by 2027—a more realistic timeline as he adjusts to the speed and power of NFL interior play.
Enrique Cruz likely only sees the field if injuries strike at tackle. But don't sleep on Dugger and Prysock, both of whom could carve out roles on special teams. In a game where field position often decides wins and losses, the third phase is never something to overlook. Whether it's a blocked punt, a key tackle on coverage, or a return that flips the field, these Day 3 picks might just make their mark in ways the box score doesn't fully capture.
As the 49ers gear up for the season, keep an eye on these late-round selections. The biggest surprises often come from the deepest parts of the draft.