New Year’s Day is one of the most important evaluation dates on the college football calendar. With multiple high-profile games, it gives NFL front offices a chance to study top prospects in pressure situations against elite competition. For the San Francisco 49ers, this is more than casual scouting. Several roster weaknesses are already clear, and these matchups offer a direct look at players who could realistically fill those needs in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Five 49ers prospects to watch
David Bailey, DE, Texas Tech
One player the 49ers would love to see still on the board when they pick in the first round is Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. Pass rush is a clear need for San Francisco, as they currently rank last in the NFL in sacks. Bailey directly addresses that issue. During the regular season, he led the nation with 74 pressures, posted an elite 93.6 PFF pass-rushing grade, and finished second nationally with 13.5 sacks.
Emmanuel Pregnon, OG, Oregon
Guard is a position the 49ers must upgrade. They have rotated Ben Bartch, Connor Colby, and Spencer Burford, and none has separated as a long-term solution. Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon fits exactly what San Francisco looks for up front. He is a big, physical lineman with better mobility than most players at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds. The All-American did not allow a sack this season and gave up just three pressures, showing both power and consistency in pass protection.
Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Like Emmanuel Pregnon, Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch is a player the 49ers could target in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Branch would fit well in San Francisco as a speed-based complement to Ricky Pearsall and a legitimate vertical threat. He also brings added value as a ball carrier. Georgia has used him on jet sweeps and designed touches, similar to how the 49ers have deployed Deebo Samuel, making him a natural fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Keon Sabb, S, Alabama
On the defensive side of the ball, safety is a position the 49ers are likely to address, and a Day 3 prospect to watch on New Year’s Day is Alabama’s Keon Sabb. Sabb is a solid athlete who moves well in coverage and plays with enough physicality to be effective against the run. This season, he holds an 83.1 PFF coverage grade and has posted a career-high 51 tackles.
De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
In addition to potentially adding a starting receiver with Zachariah Branch, the 49ers also need to address depth at wide receiver. One late-round option to watch is Ole Miss wideout De’Zhaun Stribling, a player San Francisco could target with a fifth-round compensatory pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Stribling is a physical receiver who generated over half of his production after the catch, showing toughness and contact balance. He profiles as a reliable fourth or fifth receiver.