The San Francisco 49ers drafted offensive lineman Enrique Cruz Jr. from the University of Kansas with the 179th-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cruz Jr. played four collegiate seasons at Syracuse before transferring to the University of Kansas in 2025 where he started all 12 games and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.
The Chicago native adds size, athleticism, and versatility to the 49ers competitive offensive line room.
Here are five things to know about Enrique Cruz Jr.:
Cruz Jr. has experience starting in both the right and left tackle spots. After spending most of his time at Syracuse as left tackle, he started all 12 games at right tackle for Kansas in 2025 and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.
The rookie's ability to play multiple positions was one of the traits that stood out to San Francisco throughout the draft process.
"We think he's a tackle," president of football operations and general manager John Lynch said. "He may have guard flex, but we're excited to add him to the offensive line group and add some competition."
Cruz Jr. is also eager to learn from and play next to one of the league's premier left tackles, Trent Williams.
"He's one of the greatest ever," Cruz Jr. stated after being drafted. "I'm just so excited to meet him and be able to learn a lot from him."
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 313 pounds, scouts at the NFL Combine noted Cruz Jr.'s explosive power, controlled footwork, and core strength to control against the rush. Cruz Jr. emerged as one of the leaders.
Among offensive tackles, he ranked third in athleticism with a score of 91, second in both the broad and vertical jump, as well as recording the top 40-yard dash speed of 20.69 mph after running a 4.94.
Those athletic traits were part of what caught the 49ers attention.
"Cruz is a guy that throughout the process we became very intrigued with," Lynch said. "Amongst all the offensive linemen, he had the fastest 40 time, [one of the] highest vertical jumps, and the highest speed... it speaks to the type of athlete he is."
During his 2023 season at Syracuse, Cruz Jr. started all 13 games at left tackle and didn't allow a single sack. The campaign helped establish himself as one of the most experienced tackles in the 2026 draft class.
Assistant general manager RJ Gillen noted that Cruz's college production matched the traits he displayed throughout the pre-draft process.
"Enrique Cruz, he's got a lot of traits in his body. He's got really good size, really good testing numbers, and we really liked the film," Gillen said. "He played some good rushers this year and held his own."
The night of the 2026 NFL Draft, Cruz Jr. celebrated his selection surrounded by his family in his hometown Chicago. Speaking with team reporter Briana Jeannel after the pick, he shared that his grandmother has been one of his biggest role models and shared the moment he had with her after getting the call from San Francisco.
"Me and my grandma, we just had a moment after the phone call. We were both crying."
Cruz Jr. is proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and has spoken about the importance of representing the Latino community throughout his journey. In his “Meet the Rookies” interview, he discussed the pride he takes in being part of a growing group of Latino players in the NFL and the opportunity to inspire future generations.
"To be able to be here representing my culture, representing Puerto Ricans… It's really an honor. The growth of Latinos in sports has been amazing." Cruz said. "Just having seven in this draft, and hopefully more in the future. I think it's just an amazing opportunity."
He also mentioned how he is excited to play in Mexico City with the 49ers at Estadio Banorte in Week 11.
"It means the world to me to be in this position, doing this not just for Puerto Rican, just for all Hispanics… and it's just amazing to have games in Mexico City. Shout out Mexico, shout out to all the Mexicans."
