Explaining 49ers' head-scratching decision to start Day 3 of NFL draft

The San Francisco 49ers opened Day 3 of the NFL draft by picking defensive tackle Gracen Halton. That selection marked the third time in the last two years the 49ers used at least a fourth-round pick on a defensive tackle.

There's been a ton of investment by the 49ers on the defensive interior with the trio of draft picks the last two years and the acquisition of Osa Odighizuwa in an offseason trade with the Dallas Cowboys.

With Odighizuwa, Alfred Collins (Round 2, 2025) and CJ West (Round 4, 2025) already in the mix, the Halton selection feels like overkill. Especially after Collins and West developed nicely throughout their rookie seasons. So, where does Halton fit?

The 49ers may be looking for him to be more of a pass-rushing option than a run-stuffing option. Run stopping is where West and Collins thrive, while Odighizuwa is more well-known for his ability to pressure the quarterback. Halton wasn't necessarily a pass-rushing force with the Sooners, but he developed in that area during his four-year tenure.

He posted zero sacks in his first two years with 10 pressures in 95 pass rush snaps according to Pro Football Focus. In his third and fourth years he got more opportunity to get after the quarterback, and he took advantage. In 490 pass rush snaps he put up 59 pressures and nine sacks.

There's upside for him as a pass rusher, and the 49ers have an opportunity to put him in a rotational role where he doesn't have to do much more than pin his ears back and try to get the quarterback. Second-year DL Mykel Williams will also rush from the interior, but the 49ers have thrived when they've had deep defensive line rotations that can effectively pressure the quarterback for four quarters.