There was one clear knock on Texas Tech defensive end Romello Height when the San Francisco 49ers selected him with the No. 70 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The 49ers aren’t overly concerned about it.
Height is considered to be undersized for his position after measuring in at 6-3, 239 pounds with 32-inch arms at the NFL combine. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler pointed out Height’s lack of size twice in his NFL draft guide. The first weakness listed for Height was “high-cut, wiry frame and lacks ideal body mass for the position.” Brugler was more blunt in his overall takeaway, writing “there aren’t many edge rushers with Height’s slender size profile who find sustained NFL success.”
Two 49ers front office executives who spoke with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco didn’t sound like they’re worried about how Height’s size will translate to the NFL. Vice president of player personnel Tariq Ahmad believes the 49ers at the 70th overall pick landed an impact edge rusher.
“We had him on the board before (defensive coordinator) Raheem (Morris) got here,” Ahmad said via Maiocco. “He’s someone we identified as being one of the premier pass rushers in this class.”
Assistant general manager RJ Gillen pointed directly to Height’s size and said he fits the mold of pass rushers the 49ers have had success with in the past.
“It is a player archetype we’ve used in the past, like with Dee Ford,” Gillen told Maiocco. “The DPR (designated pass rusher) kind of guys. It’s not something we’re unfamiliar with.”
The designated pass rusher role always appeared to be ideal for Height. After Bryce Huff’s retirement the 49ers had a need for a player who could come in and play off the edge when Mykel Williams kicked inside on passing downs. That type of player doesn’t necessarily need to be a stout run defender since they’re more often than not going to be on the field in situations where the offense is likely passing (second-and-long, third-and-long, etc).
It’s the role where Height’s skill set can be maximized, and his deficiencies can be masked. Brugler also wrote that Height “projects as a sub-down designated pass rusher in the NFL.” And that role is exactly what the 49ers have in mind.
More 49ers: 49ers scouts rave about team’s top pick, why he earned ‘gold helmet’
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers not concerned with one draft pick’s most notable flaw
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
