Raheem Morris is stepping into a demanding job with the 49ers, and training camp gives him his first real chance to start sorting out what he has on defense. He inherits a unit that Robert Saleh handled well despite a pile of injuries, and now Morris has to build on that work while trying to push San Francisco back toward elite status.
That task comes with plenty of familiar faces. Fred Warner, Nick Bosa and Dre Greenlaw are the veterans who should jump out immediately when Morris gets his first live look on July 26. But there’s also a rookie who could make a fast impression: fifth-round pick Jaden Dugger.
Dugger entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a reputation for versatility, and that’s exactly why he stands out in this conversation. Analysts pointed to his ability to line up at linebacker, safety or even as a rusher on the defensive line, giving the 49ers a player who can be shaped in different directions.
That kind of flexibility is catnip for a coordinator like Morris. He has a history of leaning into five-man fronts, which makes it easy to picture Dugger being used as an extra rusher or as a piece to help shut down the run. Morris also values players who can move between roles, and Dugger fits that mold neatly.
None of that means the rookie is ready-made. He’s still a first-year player, and mistakes are part of the package. But if Dugger learns quickly and keeps his confidence intact, he looks like the sort of prospect who can grow into a real weapon in Morris’s system.
For the 49ers, that’s the point. They need Morris to squeeze everything he can out of this defense, and if Dugger develops into one of those movable pieces who can be deployed in different ways, it could end up mattering a lot in the 2026 campaign.
In Other News...
George Kittle's Status Just Became A Serious 49ers Problem
George Kittles latest setback leaves the 49ers trying to patch one of the most important spots on the roster after he was hurt in a recent game and had to exit after already turning in another productive afternoon. Before leaving, he had four catches, 25 yards and a touchdown, a reminder of how quickly he can change a game for San Francisco when he is on the field.
The immediate burden now falls on the depth chart, and the 49ers are expected to elevate Brayden Willis from the practice squad to help cover the tight end group. It is a familiar sort of test for Kyle Shanahans offense, which leans heavily on Kittles versatility and production, and now has to find a way to keep that part of the attack moving while waiting for his eventual return. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Already Have A De'Zhaun Stribling Problem They Feared
DeZhaun Stribling is already drawing attention in 49ers camp, and not just because San Francisco took him in the top of the second round after a draft slot that raised a few eyebrows around the league. The rookie wideout has the kind of size and frame that can get a team dreaming big, but his path to carving out a role is going to depend on how quickly he turns those traits into polished NFL route running.
Striblings college rsum suggests there is still plenty of development ahead, since he never topped 1,000 receiving yards in a season and had only one 100-yard game at Ole Miss. That is why the early reps matter so much for him, and why every practice clip gets extra scrutiny as he tries to show he can clean up the details and justify the investment San Francisco made. [Read more 🡒]
49ers May Have Quietly Found A Crucial Offensive Line Answer
The 49ers added another layer to their offensive line mix by signing Brett Toth to a one-year deal, a move that gives them a player with real flexibility as camp approaches. Toth has worked at multiple spots up front, and that kind of versatility matters for a team that is always trying to protect itself against the wear and tear of a long season.
Where he fits will be sorted out in training camp and the preseason, but the possibilities are clear enough: he can battle for work at left guard, provide swing tackle depth, or serve as a backup center option. For San Francisco, the appeal is obvious. A lineman who can cover several jobs gives the coaching staff more ways to build the 53-man roster, even if the exact answer is still waiting to be revealed. [Read more 🡒]