San Francisco adds Washington OT Carver Willis in the 4th round, betting on athletic movement, run-blocking energy, and tackle flexibility.
The San Francisco 49ers added Carver Willis to their offensive line on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting the Washington OT in the fourth round.
Willis was taken with the 27th pick of the round (No. 127 overall), giving the 49ers another body to develop who has shown real production at multiple tackle spots—and the athletic testing to live in a modern scheme.
From Kansas State to Washington: a tackle with movement
Willis’ path to the NFL is a familiar one for teams that value versatility: he spent six collegiate seasons splitting time between Kansas State and Washington, gradually building a resume that translated across roles.
At Kansas State, he primarily worked as a right tackle and logged starts that helped him sharpen his run-blocking rhythm.. When he moved to Washington, his job shifted to left tackle, and he finished his final college season starting 10 games.. That 2025 run included honorable-mention All-Big Ten recognition after a strong protection profile, allowing only two sacks and committing four penalties.
The numbers matter, but the trend behind them is what teams watch: Willis didn’t just hold a position—he adjusted to new demands at tackle while still providing enough consistency to earn conference attention.
Combine numbers and what they signal for pro development
At the 2026 Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. Willis showed the type of explosiveness that often persuades coaches to take a swing in the mid rounds.. His official combine testing included a 5.11-second 40-yard dash. a 1.84-second 10-yard split. and jumps that suggested he can generate movement in space.
He measured in at 6-5 and 303 pounds with 32 1/2-inch arms and 9 1/2-inch hands. Those are the kinds of traits that help with the early, unglamorous phases of NFL life—getting through punch timing, staying balanced in passing lanes, and competing when blocks break down.
Yet the draft process is never just about measurable upside. NFL development also requires handling contact in the trenches, and Willis’ tape pointed to both strengths and limitations.
What the scouting reports suggest: run power, but pro anchor questions
Evaluators consistently leaned into Willis’ run-blocking identity. His quickness out of his stance, aggressive fits, and tendency to finish blocks stood out as core traits. In zone looks, his ability to get to the target area and drive through contact gave him an edge.
The swing factor for pro teams is pass protection. where NFL defenders can win with more sudden power and tighter leverage.. Scouting notes pointed to a recurring concern: Willis may lack the length and anchor associated with the best starting tackles.. That doesn’t mean he can’t protect—it means the coaching staff may need a more deliberate plan. including help schemes. technique refinements. and role clarity early.
NFL analysts also described him as a player who could fit as a zone-scheme guard or function as a swing tackle who might require protection assistance.. That kind of “multirole projection” is common when a team likes a player’s movement and run profile but wants time to solve the pass-blocking mechanics.
Why the 49ers’ timing matters (and what it could mean for the lineup)
Selecting Willis in the fourth round suggests San Francisco isn’t treating this like a plug-and-play tackle replacement. The move reads more like roster construction: adding a developing lineman whose athletic traits can keep him in the mix, especially in an offense that values scheme adaptability.
That matters for teams because offensive line depth isn’t a luxury—it’s how seasons are won.. Injuries and matchup changes force constant reshuffling, and players who can handle multiple alignments create fewer disruptions.. Willis’ college record—starting at right tackle in one system and left tackle in another—fits the idea that he can learn quickly.
The human impact is simple: when the line holds. quarterbacks process faster. running backs hit creases with less hesitation. and play calls don’t get diluted into safe. predictable options.. When the line breaks down, it affects everyone—especially fans watching a season slide from “contender” to “survival mode.”
The key question now: will he grow into pass protection
The 49ers will likely focus on the same coaching priorities every staff faces with a developing tackle: leverage consistency, hand timing, and learning how to survive contact without oversetting or losing the anchor.
The good news for Willis is that his athletic testing and run-blocking aggressiveness give him a foundation.. Even scouting that identified limitations still suggested he can compete with quickness and grip strength.. In practical terms, that means his ceiling may be shaped by technique—not by whether he can physically hang.
His pre-draft evaluation from NFL.com placed him in the “average backup or special-teams player” range. with projections leaning toward a mid-round role.. Pro Football Focus charted him as well above replacement in 2025 for Washington. assigning him a 79.0 overall grade among qualified offensive tackles and noting he played 520 offensive snaps.
That combination—real snap volume plus athletic promise—helps explain why a fourth-round selection makes sense. The 49ers aren’t simply buying potential. They’re betting the traits that produced results in college can be refined into reliability in the NFL.
For Willis, the next step is clear: the clock accelerates in pro pass protection, and the team’s development plan will determine whether he becomes a steady contributor, a matchup weapon in different line positions, or an eventual starter.