⚡ 49ers’ 2026 draft strategy revealed: 3 standout IDL prospects who could reshape San Francisco’s defense.QQ
Adding beef up front hasn’t been something San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch has shied away from over the last few years.
The Niners have consistently invested heavily along the defensive line over the last few drafts, adding premium talents like Mykel Williams on Day 1, Robert Beal Jr. on the edge, along with Alfred Collins and C.J. West inside. Yet despite the influx of youth and traits, the production hasn’t matched the pedigree — San Francisco sits last in the NFL with just 12 sacks over 11 weeks, and the injuries of Nick Bosa and Fred Warner have amplified the unit’s lack of disruption.
With an intriguing crop of talent in the defensive line class on the horizon, the 49ers have a chance to restock the trenches once again.
Three prospects — one on each day — stand out as ideal fits for a defense that desperately needs impact on the interior.
Day One: Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Kayden McDonald has been one of the most impressive breakout defenders in the country, stepping into a starting role at Ohio State and immediately asserting himself as a steady, disruptive force.
At 6-foot-3 and 326 pounds, he brings prototypical NFL size, but it’s the blend of power, efficiency, and discipline that makes him special. Operating primarily at one-tech (between the center and guard), McDonald has been an elite run defender all season, stacking blocks, clogging lanes, and consistently winning leverage battles, but he’s also flashed real upside as a pass-rusher, posting three sacks and showcasing the ability to win in isolation when matched one-on-one.
As a true junior with his best football still ahead, McDonald could fit seamlessly as a Day 1 target for San Francisco, offering immediate rotational value with long-term starter potential.
Day Two: Dominique Orange, Iowa State
Dominique “Big Citrus” Orange is one of the most uniquely gifted interior defenders in the class at his position. At 320-plus pounds with rare movement ability, he combines overwhelming size with elite explosiveness.
His testing and weight-room numbers — benching over 450 pounds and squatting 650 — per The Athletic, speak to the raw power that defines his game. He fires off the ball with a violent first step, collapsing pockets and eating up space before offensive linemen can properly anchor.
However, the finesse component of his game remains a work in progress; his hand speed can lag behind his feet, and when linemen win inside leverage early, he can be stood up and neutralized. Even so, the profile is loaded with upside, and his ability to attack gaps or two-gap when needed makes him a natural fit in a hybrid front.
Day Three: Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech
Skyler Gill-Howard may be undersized at 6-foot-1, 290, but man, is his tape is filled with explosive flashes.
A high-energy, experienced prospect with over 900 career snaps, the Northern Illinois transfer thrives on his ability to win with leverage, quickness, and short-area burst. He can consistently creates problems in isolation, shooting gaps, slipping blocks, and also has the innate ability to track plays down both front and backside of the formation.
Texas Tech’s front seven is loaded with talent, yet he’s remained one of its most reliable and disruptive interior pieces. His alignment versatility — reps at one-tech, three-tech, two-i — gives him broad scheme appeal, particularly for a rotational role early in his NFL career.
In San Francisco’s deep rotation of talent, Gill-Howard profiles as a value pick who could contribute early as an interior spark plug.
