San Francisco 49ers Select Oklahoma DT Gracen Halton to Start Draft Day 2
The San Francisco 49ers opened their second day of the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear message: rebuilding their defense is a top priority. Using the 103rd overall pick, the team selected defensive tackle Gracen Halton from the University of Oklahoma, reinforcing the interior of their defensive line after losing key starters in free agency.
This draft move signals urgency for the 49ers, who enter the day armed with four picks in the fourth round and another in the fifth, ready to reshape their roster under head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. The defensive tackle spot had become a priority after the departures of Jordan Elliott and Kalia Davis, both pivotal interior linemen who left in free agency this offseason.
Halton’s Versatility and Leadership Impress
At 6-foot-2 1/2 and 293 pounds, Halton brings a unique mix of size and explosiveness. Though he started just 10 of 47 collegiate games, his senior season distinguished him with 3.5 sacks and 30 pressures, earning him team captain honors for the Sooners.
Halton’s ability to transition inside from defensive end adds valuable versatility to a unit in flux, matching the 49ers’ vision for a dynamic defensive front. “I was surprised to hear my name called by San Francisco,” Halton admitted after the pick, “but it’s a blessing to join an organization that believes in my potential.”
Joining Halton are familiar faces bolstering the 49ers’ defensive tackle corps, including recent Dallas Cowboys acquisition Osa Odighizuwa and last year’s draft picks Alfred Collins and C.J. West. This combination aims to upgrade the 49ers’ run defense and pass rush as they hunt for a competitive edge in a tough NFC West.
Active Draft Day 2 Strategy Fuels 49ers’ Moves
The 49ers have been aggressively maneuvering to maximize draft value. Preceding Halton’s selection, the team executed a series of shrewd trades: swapping a first-round pick (#27) and a fourth-round pick (#138) to Miami for a slightly lower first-round pick (#30) and a third-rounder (#90), then trading #30 to the New York Jets for second- and fifth-round picks (#33 and #179).
They also traded away a second-round pick (#58) and fifth-round pick (#152) to Cleveland, acquiring a third (#70) and a fourth-round pick (#107), showcasing a flexible approach to bolster depth.
Additional acquisitions this offseason include fifth-round pick Bryce Huff from Philadelphia, sixth-rounders Keion White and Brian Robinson from New England and Washington, respectively, and seventh-rounder Khalil Davis from Houston – moves demonstrating a commitment to building a deep, competitive unit.
What’s Next for the 49ers This Draft Weekend
With a total of five mid-round picks still in hand—four in the fourth round and one in the fifth—the 49ers must balance addressing immediate needs with acquiring talent for the future. Interestingly, unless further trades occur, this may be the first draft since 2007 where San Francisco doesn’t make a seventh-round selection.
The focus on defensive line talent like Halton shows a clear intent to improve both run defense and pass pressure, cornerstones of a winning NFL defense. As the draft progresses today, all eyes will remain on the 49ers to see how they capitalize on their arsenal of picks.
Stay tuned as The California Herald brings you the latest updates on the 49ers’ draft moves, revealing how this franchise continues to evolve and compete for supremacy in California and across the league.
