The San Francisco 49ers brought in several rookies over the course of the 2026 NFL draft, and while some will likely play big roles for the team in their first season, others will probably sit and learn from the sidelines.
Among the latter group is offensive lineman Enrqiue Cruz Jr., whom the 49ers took in the fifth round (No. 179 overall) of the draft out of Kansas.
Cruz, 22, spent four seasons at Syracuse before transferring to Kansas in 2025. In his entire collegiate career, he started 29 games (15 at right tackle and 14 at left tackle).
Despite having Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz at left and right tackle, respectively, the team took Cruz as a developmental option, and 49ers vice president of player personnel Tariq Ahmad recently explained why.
“He has a lot of top-10 percent talent in his body — the acceleration, the explosiveness,” Ahmad said (via “The Athletic“). “He’s a very physically gifted guy.”
Cruz will have an opportunity to earn the job as the team’s top swing tackle in 2026, and if he does that, he could set himself up to take over as a starter at some point. He just needs to learn and use his body consistently.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers exec gushes over new rookie’s physical traits
