49ers Add Speed to the Edge: San Francisco Selects Romello Height at No. 70…

The San Francisco 49ers continued to bolster their defensive front on the second day of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Texas Tech edge rusher Romello Height with the 70th overall pick. The move underscores the organization’s commitment to maintaining a relentless pass rush, adding one of the most productive—and polarizing—speed rushers in this year's class.

A Breakout Season in Lubbock
Height’s journey to the NFL was anything but linear. After stints at Auburn, USC, and Georgia Tech, the 24-year-old finally found his stride at Texas Tech. In a dominant 2025 campaign, Height emerged as a premier disruptive force in the Big 12, racking up 10 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and a staggering 62 quarterback pressures.

His elite "first step" and ability to bend around the edge caught the eyes of 49ers scouts. Height represents the modern NFL's desire for explosive athletes who can ruin an offensive game plan from the outside.

The "Light Side" Factor
While Height’s production is undeniable, his physical profile has been a major talking point among draft analysts. Standing at 6'2" and weighing in at just 239 pounds, Height is considered significantly undersized for a traditional NFL defensive end.

Scouting reports suggest that while his lean frame allows for exceptional speed (clocking a 4.64-second 40-yard dash), it comes with a trade-off. Height has struggled at times against the run, occasionally getting washed out by larger offensive tackles who are able to lock onto his frame.

For the 49ers, the gamble is clear: they aren't drafting Height to be a three-down "anchor" immediately. Instead, they are banking on his ability to serve as a designated pass-rush specialist. In a defense anchored by Nick Bosa, Height can be utilized in high-leverage sub-packages where his speed can be weaponized without him having to battle double-teams in the run game.

Roster Shuffling: The Dee Winters Trade
The selection of Height comes on the heels of another significant defensive move by the 49ers front office. Earlier in the draft weekend, San Francisco traded linebacker Dee Winters to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the 152nd overall pick (a fifth-rounder).

The trade of Winters, a 2023 sixth-round pick who had become a reliable depth piece, signaled a reshuffling of the 49ers' defensive priorities. With the return of Dre Greenlaw in free agency and the addition of interior help like Osa Odighizuwa (acquired in a separate trade with Dallas earlier this offseason), Winters became an "expendable" asset.

By moving Winters, the 49ers not only gained draft capital but also cleared space for a new wave of defensive talent. Height represents that new direction—a high-ceiling, specialized athlete who fits the "speed kills" philosophy that San Francisco has long championed.

Outlook
Romello Height joins a 49ers defense that is already one of the league's most feared units. While he will need to add play strength to his 239-pound frame to become a consistent every-down player, his ability to hunt quarterbacks provides the 49ers with a dangerous new tool in their pursuit of another Super Bowl run.

As the 2026 season approaches, the spotlight will be on whether Height's collegiate results can translate to the pros despite his lighter build, and how quickly he can carve out a role in the 49ers' elite rotation.