Santa Clara, CA. May 2026
San Francisco 49ers continue quietly strengthening their defense ahead of offseason workouts under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
With San Francisco still looking for additional speed and versatility off the edge entering another championship push, the organization reportedly added one of the most physically intriguing undrafted defenders remaining from the 2026 NFL class.
According to league sources, the 49ers signed versatile defensive prospect Dasan McCullough just days before OTAs begin.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing roughly 230 pounds, McCullough immediately stands out because of his rare combination of length, explosiveness, and positional versatility.
Several scouts around the league have long believed his physical traits alone give him one of the highest developmental ceilings among undrafted defenders entering camp this year.
What makes McCullough especially attractive to San Francisco is his ability to fit multiple roles inside a modern NFL defense.
He can line up as a traditional edge rusher, drop back into coverage situations, or attack opposing quarterbacks as a movable pressure piece depending on the defensive package.
That versatility gives the 49ers another potential chess piece capable of disguising pressure and creating confusion for offenses before the snap.
Many around the league believe San Francisco’s aggressive and creative defensive system could be the perfect environment to maximize McCullough’s athletic upside if his development continues progressing.
McCullough also comes from a strong football background.
The young defender is the son of Deland McCullough, a respected NFL coach and Super Bowl champion who played a major role in shaping Dasan’s football instincts from an early age.
Before college, McCullough ranked among the top defensive recruits in the country and carried a highly regarded five-star rating.
He initially flashed major potential at Indiana before transferring to Oklahoma to continue developing against elite competition.
Although injuries occasionally slowed parts of his progression, scouts consistently remained fascinated by his athletic tools and long-term upside as a disruptive defender.
That is reportedly why San Francisco views him as another potential developmental gem entering offseason programs.
League evaluators believe the 49ers see untapped pass-rushing potential in McCullough’s ability to attack from unpredictable alignments within aggressive defensive fronts.
Still, development remains the key moving forward.
McCullough must continue adding strength, refining his hand usage, and adjusting physically to the speed and demands of NFL competition if he hopes to carve out a consistent role.
But for San Francisco, this is exactly the type of low-risk, high-upside move championship organizations quietly target before training camp begins.
And if Dasan McCullough ultimately reaches his full potential, the 49ers may have just secured one of the most dangerous developmental defensive weapons from the entire 2026 undrafted class.