The San Francisco 49ers selected linebacker Jaden Dugger out of Louisiana in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. During the pre-draft process, Dugger stood out as a prospect with the athleticism, instincts, and upside to develop into an impact defender at the NFL level.

One person who became an early believer was 49ers linebackers coach K.J. Wright.


Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Wright revealed that he strongly advocated for the team to draft the former Ragin' Cajun and pointed to one specific play that convinced him Dugger had the traits needed to succeed in the NFL.

"I kid you not, when I watched Dugger and the first 15 plays, I was like, 'I've got to have this dude. I've got to have him,'" Wright said. "I just looked at his frame, I looked at his speed, and he had this one play that not too many linebackers can make. It was a reverse. It started to his right, and it went to his left. Most guys are late on reverses, but I saw this guy move to his right, and he went to his left so quick."

That play was the second clip Wright included in the highlight package he presented to head coach Kyle Shanahan during the evaluation process.

"So, long, athletic, smart," Wright continued. "His football IQ is something that you all are going to love about him. Really, really smart linebacker, and really good player. I fell in love with him in the first 15 plays."

General manager John Lynch joked that Wright may have been drawn to Dugger because the rookie linebacker reminds the coach of himself as a player. Wright didn't dismiss the comparison and acknowledged that the two share similarities.


"We're real similar," Wright said. "Both tall. He's faster than I am. He's longer. I know I'm a long guy, but he's got these long arms. But I really love smart linebackers, guys that can see the game good. Guys that can anticipate plays is something that I love.

"And so, when I saw that from Dugger—he can bend as well. So, watch Dugger when he makes tackles. A lot of guys play high, really high. He's a guy that can bend, sink in his hips, and find a way to still make really good plays."

While Wright is excited about Dugger's potential, he acknowledged that the rookie remains a work in progress. Rather than viewing it as a concern, the coach sees an opportunity to develop and mold the linebacker into a key contributor to the 49ers' defense.

"He has a ways to go, obviously, but this guy's going to be a really, really special player. I'm excited for him," Wright concluded.

H/t to Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated.




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