Grading the Pick: San Francisco 49ers make another frustrating decision on Day 2 of the NFL Draft that John Lynch can’t justify
The San Francisco 49ers are putting together quite the interesting 2026 NFL Draft. GM John Lynch won a couple trade-downs, but then reached horribly for a wide receiver. Now he’s taken an extremely old prospect that might not even be a strong scheme fit.
With the No. 77 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech.
The A to Z Sports 2026 NFL Draft projections had Height going in that range of the 2026 NFL Draft, but 49ers fans don’t seem to like the selection, and it’s hard to disagree with them.
What should fans know about Height, his fit, and how they should feel about that pick? Let’s dive in.
What to know about new San Francisco 49ers EDGE Romello Height
Age: 25
A to Z Sports Draft Projection: Eventual Average Starter
Career Projection:
“Height is a wiry pass rusher who won’t provide much on the run defense side. He earned First Team All-Big 12 honors last season playing opposite David Bailey. His athleticism and explosiveness jump off the screen off the edge. Height is willing to mirror running backs out of the backfield in coverage or get physical with tight ends at the start of their routes. 69 career pressures in college career. He’s not strong or long enough to be a three-down defender entering the league. However, he has a very clear-cut role as a designated pass rusher in the pros.”
Adam Holt
A to Z Sports New Orleans Saints Beat Writer
Romello Height was extremely productive for the Texas Tech Red Raiders this past season, racking up nine sacks and more than 60 pass-rush pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He and teammate David Bailey (second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft) wreaked havoc all last year, creating perhaps the best pass-rush attack in the country.
However, last season was essentially Height’s first productive college season ever. It was year six for him, and his fourth school. He had washed out of both Auburn and USC. Then he earned a decent role at Georgia Tech prior to joining Texas Tech ahead of the 2025 season. He finally put it all together, bulked up just a bit, and added some pass-rush moves to his arsenal last season, so that should give 49ers fans some hope that he’ll succeed.
Grading the 49ers selection of Romello Height
Unfortunately, Height is a bit of an odd fit for the 49ers scheme, and he’s already 25 years old. Height weighs about 30 pounds less than the other 49ers defensive ends, so it’s assumed that he’ll most likely become a sub-package pass-rush specialist.
That’s nice to have a rotational player like Height who can come in and offer a different pitch to opposing offensive lineman. He certainly brings speed and flexibility off the edge in a way that Mykel Williams and Nick Bosa don’t necessarily possess.
However, if Height’s long-term roll is sub-package specialist, and he’s going to be 29 years old by the time his potential second contract begins, this feels like an odd selection. Especially when the 49ers could have addressed other positions like interior offensive line. There were multiple players still on the board who would likely slide in as full-time starters on the interior offensive line, yet general manager John Lynch went with Height.
Nice talent. Strange pick.
Grade: C
We’ll be back with more San Francisco 49ers coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news.