How Romello Height can have immediate major impact for 49ers

It was going to be a surprise if the San Francisco 49ers left the 2026 NFL draft without an edge rusher, so it's easy to see how No. 70 overall pick Romello Height can have a Day 1 impact.

Height doesn't bring prototypical size at 6-2, 239 pounds. That may limit him as a three-down player in the NFL. However, the 49ers don't need a three-down defensive end which may have been part of the reason they waited so long to pick one. There were a rash of DEs who went in the late first round and in the second round who fit a similar mold to 2025 49ers first-round pick Mykel Williams.

Instead of going for the versatile, do-everything DL who rushes the quarterback from the interior and plays on the edge in base packages, they went with a pure speed rusher in Height.

Height's athleticism is apparent off the line, and he uses his speed to turn the corner on offensive tackles. After Bryce Huff retired, the 49ers were sorely lacking in a style of pass rusher they've typically thrived with.

Here's what Dane Brugler had to say about Height in his draft guide for the Athletic:

There aren’t many edge rushers with Height’s slender size profile who find sustained NFL success, but his twitchy get-off and rush movements can be weaponized by the right defensive play caller. He projects as a sub-down designated pass rusher in the NFL.

Nick Bosa and Williams figure to start in base packages, but when the 49ers go into nickel packages we should see plenty of Height rushing off the edge. It'll be interesting to see if San Francisco defensive coordinator Raheem Morris has bigger plans down the line for Height as a versatile piece who also spends time lining up in the second level.

It's not reasonable to expect big-time production right away from the No. 70 overall pick, but he should have ample opportunity to have an impact on a 49ers pass rush that badly needs an injection of talent. If he can hit the ground running as an effective rotational pass rusher as a rookie it would be a massive lift to San Francisco's defense.