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0:282026 NFL Draft Grades: 49ers Select Jaden Dugger No. 154
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9:20Biggest Questions for the NFC West After the 2026 Draft
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1:582026 NFL Draft Grades: 49ers
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2:0668 Ventures Bowl Picks: Louisiana vs Delaware
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Draft Scouting Report
Pro Comparison: Kelvin Sheppard
Summary
Jaden Dugger is an imposing, "old-school" linebacker who successfully made the jump from the FCS to become a tackle machine at Louisiana. Standing 6-foot-5, he is a physical downhill defender who thrives between the tackles, using his size to take on blockers and stop the run. While he lacks the lateral speed of smaller modern linebackers, his toughness and blitzing ability make him a reliable presence in the middle of the defense.
About
- 2025: First-team All-Sun Belt
- 2025: Led team with 125 tackles (combined for 100 the previous two seasons)
Strengths
- Physical downhill tackler who excels at stopping the run.
- Effective blitzer with the power to overwhelm running backs in protection.
- Long frame that naturally disrupts passing lanes in zone coverage.
Weaknesses
- Lacks the short-area quickness to cover shifty receivers in space.
- Can be exposed when forced to flip hips and run vertically.
- Occasional lateral stiffness leads to poor tackling angles in the open field.
Top Jaden Dugger News
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49ers' Jaden Dugger: Selected by San Francisco
The 49ers selected Dugger in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 154th overall.
Dugger might need some seasoning after playing two years at Georgetown and two years at Louisiana, with only the 2025 season as starter in his two years with the Ragin' Cajuns. With that said, Dugger is the exact right type of developmental prospect to target in the late rounds, because at 6-foot-5, 242 pounds Dugger has good speed (4.61-second pro day 40) and remarkable reach (35-inch arms) for further development, potentially at either inside or outside linebacker.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-5, 250 lbs |
| Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA |
| Age: 22 |