The San Francisco 49ers selected Louisiana linebacker Jaden Dugger with the 14th pick (No. 154 overall) in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The 49ers received this pick as part of a trade with the Baltimore Ravens, who traded up to San Francisco's No. 133 selection. Baltimore also included a 2027 sixth-round pick in the deal.


Dugger split his four-year collegiate career between Georgetown and Louisiana, totaling 222 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. During a breakout 2025 season at Louisiana, he earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors after leading the team with 125 tackles and recording an interception.

Following his senior year, Dugger accepted an invitation to participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.

Measurements


The following are the official measurements from the NFL Scouting Combine.


Hometown


Pittsburgh, PA


College Statistics


Season Team Class Pos G Solo Ast Comb TFL Sk Int
2024 Louisiana JR LB 14 22 15 37 4 1 --
2025 Louisiana SR LB 13 64 61 125 13 4 1
Total 27 86 76 162 17 5 1


Scouting Report


Lance Zierlein's NFL.com scouting report:
Rangy former safety still in the infant stages of learning the off-ball linebacker spot. Dugger has a stretched-out frame with exceptional length and room to add more muscle throughout. He's inconsistent when it comes to diagnosing blocking schemes/play designs and needs significant work with block take-ons inside the box. He has the speed to run down wide-flowing backs and is an above-average wrap-and-finish tackler in space. The production and traits are intriguing, but Dugger needs more schooling and physical development before becoming an NFL linebacker.

NFL.com Draft Bio:


Pre-Draft Grade:
Dugger earned a pre-draft grade of 5.68 from NFL.com, which equates to a "candidate for the bottom of a roster or practice squad player," per the site's 8-point grading scale.


Projection:
NFL.com projected Dugger to be a priority free agent.

Pro Football Focus (PFF) Grades:
Jaden Dugger is a linebacker for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns who earned a 63.5 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 555th among 809 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 58.1 ranked 508th among 809 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 65.6 ranked 600th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 69.3 ranked 221st among qualified linebackers.

More Draft Analysis


Dane Brugler of The Athletic's Analysis:
Dugger has remarkable size, with a lean, filled-out build and go-go gadget arm length. His instincts and communication skills as a Mike 'backer are still maturing, but he adapted quickly to the new position because of his ability to see ball-get ball. When he keeps himself clean, he has sideline range and can open and run. He explodes through his hips as a tackler, although he has to improve the consistency of his details as a flow tackler. He hasn't yet fully realized how to weaponize his long arms to combat blockers, but he plays with toughness to battle through contact. As a former safety, he looks comfortable dropping in space and has match-man potential against tight ends.

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