Atlanta Falcons draft former Georgia Bulldog Zachariah Branch in 3rd round of 2026 NFL Draft
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Romello Height, the 49ers' No. 70 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, is expected to make an immediate impact as a speed rusher. Despite his smaller size, he fills a crucial gap left by the retirement of Bryce Huff.
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 arenât many edge rushers with Heightâs 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.
Romello Height is expected to provide an immediate boost to the 49ers' defense as a speed rusher, filling a gap left by the retirement of Bryce Huff.
The 49ers opted for Romello Height due to his speed and ability to rush the passer, which aligns with their need for a specialized edge rusher rather than a versatile three-down player.
At 6-2 and 239 pounds, Height's size may limit him as a three-down player, but the 49ers do not require that from him, focusing instead on his speed rushing capabilities.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers draft picks: How Romello Height fits San Francisco's roster