Pro Football Rumors
The 49ers have seen injuries take a large toll in recent years, so building quality depth across the roster has become a necessity. Some good news has developed on that front as San Francisco has seen rookie fifth-rounder Jaden Dugger making the most out of an opportunity created when veteran linebacker Luke Gifford suffered a concussion in Organized Team Activities, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic.
It’s no surprise to see Dugger overachieving early into his NFL career. Initially an unranked recruit out of Pittsburgh, Dugger received interest mostly from FCS schools before committing to play football at Georgetown as a safety. Desiring an additional challenge, Dugger transferred to Louisiana, converting to linebacker/edge role for the Ragin’ Cajuns. He played a crucial role off the bench as a junior but established a full-time starting role at linebacker last year. In that lone year as a starter, Dugger totaled 125 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
With Fred Warner missing all but six games in 2025, the 49ers saw expanded roles for Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune. The room will look familiarly different in 2026 as Warner returns from injury and Dre Greenlaw returns from his dalliance with free agency. The team traded Winters to Dallas during the 2026 NFL Draft and selected Dugger the next day.
Dugger was viewed early as an athletic project with intriguing size, much in the mold of his position coach in San Francisco, former Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright. In Gifford’s absence, though, the rookie has been drawing admiration from Wright and could be carving out a decent first-year role, as a result. Per Barrow, Dugger’s size, length, and speed are the best in the linebacking corps, and Wright has “raved about how quickly Dugger is picking up the defense.” Barrow asserts the three-tight end sets run by the division rival and Super Bowl champion Rams as an example of the kind of situation a backer like Dugger could be perfect for.
Dugger’s quick ability to learn behind one of the best linebackers in the NFL could set the 49ers up for a nice surprise out of the fifth round. Historically, San Francisco has hit big in the fifth round and at the linebacker position, and Dugger has a chance to be the latest example for both.
