The 49ers’ 2026 NFL Draft results have drawn mixed reviews around the league, to say the least.
Whether it’s their reliance on AI or trying to zag while everyone else is zigging, many of the team’s selections were deemed to be reaches this year. While fans and media members may not be impressed with some of the players selected, five-time All-Pro tight end George Kittle raved about rookie running back Kaelon Black on Wednesday.
When speaking to the media, Kittle kept his answer about Black brief, yet it was still quite effective.
“Very fast,” Kittle said. “Very fast and very mature.”
Although many were lower on the selection of Black due to the fact that he is 24 years old, Kittle highlighted the positives of what being an older rookie can mean for a team.
“I like old rookies because they’re ready to play, and you don’t have to go through that immaturity part of the start,” Kittle said. “When you play with mature players, they kind of understand the sense of urgency, is what I would say. They’re just ready for it, and that’s been really cool.”
The 49ers selected Black in the third round with the No. 90 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after a career season at Indiana that saw him run for 1,040 yards and 10 scores during the Hoosiers’ 16-0 title run.
While he won’t have to become a bell cow right away for the team with Christian McCaffrey still in the backfield, Black will have chances to carve out a prominent role of his own as a rookie. He also will have a chance to prove those who doubted him wrong in a big way.
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