5 Edge Rushers the 49ers Must Avoid in the 2026 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers are expected to draft an edge rusher, but some options would end up being disappointing picks.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:03pm by

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting breaking down a football pass rush into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in deep red, navy blue, and olive green, capturing the 49ers' selective approach to edge rushers in the upcoming draft.A cubist interpretation of the 49ers' search for the right edge rusher in the 2026 NFL draft, deconstructing the action into a geometric abstract.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers are expected to draft an edge rusher in the 2026 NFL draft, but the article identifies five edge rushers the team should avoid, including Faulk, Zion Young, Moore, Curry, and another Moore, due to various concerns about their production, physical traits, and fit with the 49ers' needs.

Why it matters

The 49ers' pass rush is a critical part of their defensive success, so it's important they make the right picks in the draft to find the right complement to their existing edge rushers like Mykel Williams.

The details

The article outlines the specific concerns with each of the five edge rushers, including issues with lack of production, limited pass rush moves, small stature, and poor athletic testing. The 49ers are looking for a speed rusher to pair with their current edge defenders, and these players don't seem to fit that mold.

  • The 2026 NFL draft is expected to take place in the spring of 2026.

The players

Faulk

A big, physical, athletic edge rusher who lacks polish and is too similar to the 49ers' current edge rusher Mykel Williams.

Zion Young

An edge rusher with a similar mold to what the 49ers draft, but lacks the explosiveness and juice to provide consistent pass rush in the NFL.

Moore

A good pass rusher who wins with a bull rush but lacks the speed and counter moves the 49ers want in their edge rushers.

Curry

An edge rusher with a lot of positive traits, but his short 30-inch arm length is a major physical limitation that will likely prevent him from succeeding in the NFL.

Moore

Another edge rusher who tested as highly athletic at the combine, but is likely too small to hold up on the edge in the NFL, leading the 49ers to view him as more of a project.

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The takeaway

The 49ers need to be selective in the 2026 NFL draft when it comes to edge rushers, as these five prospects all have significant flaws that could make them disappointing picks for the team. Finding the right complement to their existing edge rushers will be crucial to the 49ers' defensive success.