Rising 49ers rookie turning heads in 2026 OTAs

The San Francisco 49ers face the most challenging of tasks. Competing with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks is difficult enough, but they will also have to battle a resurgent Los Angeles Rams team that has added Myles Garrett — perhaps the best defensive player in the league. Even with these obstacles, the Niners have their own Super Bowl aspirations and head coach Kyle Shanahan needs to demand the most out of his players as they prepare for the 2026 season.

There can be no easing into the process, and as the Niners prepare for training camp and the preseason, rookies will play a key role in the season-long game plan. Wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, running back Kaelon Black and linebacker Jaden Dugger all impressed during the team’s OTA sessions, and it would not be a shock if all three find a way to contribute this season.

Niners led by Big Three on offense

The 49ers certainly have a threesome on offense that is going to lead the team. Brock Purdy has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFC — in not the league. He had a 20-10 TD-interception ratio in an injury-marred season that saw Mac Jones step in and start in eight of the 49ers regular-season games. As long as Purdy is healthy, he is clearly an elite performer.

Christian McCaffrey was back in solid form, as he rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 102 passes for 924 yards and 7 touchdowns. The big addition over the offseason is Mike Evans, who left the Tampa Bay Buccaneeers to sign a 3-year, $42.4 million deal with the Niners as a free agent.

Evans has had 12 stellar seasons with the Bucs, although injuries limited him to 8 games last year. He caught 30-368-3 in 2025, and that’s the only season in his career with less than 1,000 receiving yards. He caught 74-1,004-11 just two years ago.

Stribling should work well in partnership with Evans, Purdy

Stribling should play a key role for the 49ers. While it’s clear that a healthy Evans will be the team’s go-to receiver, Stribling has the kind of tools to move into a key role — even if he is not starting.

He checks in at 6-2 and 207 pounds, and he flashed his speed, skill and overall talent during a spring practice session for the Niners. He will take the place of Jauan Jennings, who will now serve as the No. 3 wideout for the Minnesota Vikings. The 49ers are not upset about the insertion of Stribling into the game plan. He is both faster and more physical than Jennings.

Stribling ran a 4.16 40 at the Combine, and he learned how to be a physical player by gaining toughness as he grew up in Hawaii playing against much bigger players. The 49ers are expecting Stribling to take some of the pressure off of Evans, and the more the rookie can do early in the season, the easier it will be for Evans to make key plays in late-game situations.

Black has a chance to ease McCaffrey’s workload

The 49ers know they can’t continue to just give the ball to McCaffrey on seemingly every other play. He has reached the age of 30 and he had 413 touches a year ago. That’s simply too many at this point in his career. Kaelon Black was selected in the third round from Indiana, and he will have an excellent chance to earn the backup spot.

Black had a sensational year for the national champions, gaining 1,040 yards on 186 carries. He scored 10 rushing touchdowns and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. The 49ers would be thrilled if he can take a significant burden off of McCaffrey. If the All-Pro running back could cut the number of touches significantly, he could be primed for a huge postseason because he would be far fresher than he was a year ago.

That would be the ideal scenario for the Niners. Black also had some impressive flashes in practice, but if he does not step up, the 49ers will look to Jordan James and Isaac Guerendo to give McCaffrey a break and the running game a lift.

Dugger has the tools to be a contributor at the LB slot

Jaden Dugger was a relatively unknown player until the last two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette. He is a coming off a huge year in which he had 125 tackles — 64 solo stops — 13.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble. That’s the kind of production that linebackers coach K.J. Wright is hoping Dugger can repeat at the pro level.

Dugger looks the part of a key contributor at 6-4 and 240 pounds. If he gets enough of a chance in the preseason game to continue to make an impression, he will have an excellent chance to make the final roster and possibly get a regular opportunity to play in the regualr season.

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