Projecting a rookie year ceiling and floor for each 49ers draft pick

Ceiling: Starting running back

Floor: Special teams contributor

DT Gracen Halton

Halton isn't probably going to push for a starting job on a crowded defensive line. He should push for snaps and a key rotational role right away. With so many defensive tackle options on the roster there's a real chance he's a gameday inactive if he doesn't hit the ground running as a rookie.

Ceiling: Rotational defensive tackle

Floor: Healthy scratch

OL Carver Willis

The 49ers are already in the process of moving Willis to the interior after he spent his college career playing offensive tackle. If he excels right away it could thrust him into the starting left guard conversation. If he has a ton of development to undergo the team would probably choose not to suit up him.

Ceiling: Starting left guard

Floor: Healthy scratch

CB Ephesians Prysock

Prysock is one of only a couple draft picks with a real shot at starting without an injury ahead of him on the depth chart. It's not out of the realm of possibilities that his size and athleticism are enough to make him a Day 1 starter in the NFL. He'd have a tall hill to climb to get there, and a more likely outcome is that he's active and running around on special teams on gameday. There's certainly a chance he doesn't do enough to earn the nod to suit up for games. though.

Ceiling: Starting cornerback

Floor: Healthy scratch

DE Jaden Dugger

Chances are Dugger is at least active on game days to play on special teams. He's big and fast with enough athleticism to potentially be a terror on kick coverage units. However, there's an opening in the 49ers starting LB corps and he brings more size and speed than any of their other options. If he can quickly learn a new position he may well find himself as a regular piece of the 49ers' base defense.

Ceiling: Starting Sam linebacker

Floor: Special teams contributor

OL Enrique Cruz Jr.

It would be a small surprise if the developmental offensive tackle prospect from Kansas carved out any kind of significant role in his first year. He's the player with a "healthy scratch" floor where hitting that floor in Year 1 wouldn't feel like a disappointment on some level.

Ceiling: Reserve OT

Floor: Healthy scratch

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers draft picks: Projecting ceiling, floor for each 2026 selection