2025 Draft: Linebackers
run (quickly) and hit
Part IV of our draft preview series looks at linebacker, a position of outsized importance in our defense but one that we have an excellent track record of drafting and developing. Per usual, any number before a player dictates their “consensus big board” ranking. Asterisks (*) by names mark some of my favorite prospect/scheme fits.
The departure of Dre Greenlaw looms large, but when it comes to drafting and developing, if there’s a position where the Niners should get the benefit of the doubt, it’s probably linebacker. With Fred Warner (3rd), Greenlaw (5th), Dee Winters (6th), and Azeez Al-Shaiir (UDFA), the Niners have consistently unearthed strong players in the middle-to-late rounds. We have a very specific skillset that we want at the position and Johnny Holland is one of the best in the business at shaping our rookies into heat-seeking missiles on the field.
THE SKILLSET
Warner, Greenlaw, Winters, and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles were all converted safeties who moved down to linebacker at some point during (or after) college. Marcell Harris, who the Niners drafted as a safety but ended up deploying mostly as a matchup-specific nickel linebacker, functionally goes in that bucket as well. A background in the secondary isn’t a prerequisite for Niners linebackers, but it does show how important speed and coverage skills are when we evaluate draft prospects.
Plodding, throwback, two-down linebackers don’t really have a place in our defense. Our linebackers need to be fast, comfortable in space, and have the instincts and confidence to trigger on their reads and sprint to the football. And while reads, technique, and moving with conviction can be taught, instincts are like anticipation with quarterbacks–sometimes younger players can develop them over time, but quite often you either have it or you don’t.
THE NEED
Dee Winters will get the first crack at the starting Will linebacker position vacated by Dre Greenlaw, but he’s had a string of injury issues and is still proving himself against the run. We’re likely trying to add a linebacker who can push Winters immediately for starting snaps and either beat him out or start at the Sam linebacker spot in base packages.
FIRST ROUND
17. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
6-3, 235 lbs.
Big, athletic splash play generator with one significant flaw
If you’re counting Jalon Walker as an edge, then Campbell is the consensus top linebacker in the draft due to his size, athleticism (4.52 forty), youth (just recently turned 21), and penchant for making big plays in all three phases of the game. He can go sideline-to-sideline in the run game, is a natural in coverage, and is an excellent pass rusher—all skills that showed up on the stat sheet while leading Bama in tackles, TFLs, and sacks this season. However, his weakness is the red flag I mentioned earlier: instincts. He is too often slow to pick up the ball and trigger, he gets caught taking the cheese and peeking at backfield movements, and–to compound it all-when he is late in reading his keys, he struggles to take on blocks and get back in plays.
He’s young, so he has a bit of an excuse in that department, but—as mentioned earlier—you never know if a guy’s instincts are gonna improve or not once they get to the NFL. If they do, he could be a genuinely elite triple-threat linebacker. If they don’t, his career could wind up somewhere in the Tremaine Edmunds/Devin White realm—great athletes with a knack for flashy plays whose lack of diagnostic skills prevents them from stringing it together consistently. And the last thing I want from my linebackers is inconsistency. Which is why some people think he actually profiles best as a 3-4 stand-up rush end, where at least he can work on his reads and vision while typically coming forward.
SECOND ROUND
*42. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
6-2.5, 242 lbs.
Former walk-on turned All-American with great athleticism and lightning-quick instincts
Schwesinger redshirted as a freshman walk-on, didn’t start a single game his next two years, and didn’t even begin the season as a starter at UCLA. But by the end of 2024, he was a First-Team All-American, a Butkus Award finalist, and led the FBS in solo tackles (90), with the highest FBS solo tackle rate (7.5/game) over the last four years.
The small sample size is confusing (was UCLA really so talented at linebacker that they couldn’t have played this guy earlier?), but his play feels sustainable because it’s built on elite instincts, a knack for flowing through traffic to the ball, and high-level play in all three facets. He’s an excellent athlete who is super quick and has loose hips to drop into coverage or slip past blockers with at least solid top-end speed. In some schemes, top-end speed is only marginally important for linebackers, but we ask our guys to carry receivers further down the field than most, so GPS data will be vital. And while he needs to add some strength and bulk so that he doesn’t get thrown around by blockers when he gets caught up in the muck, our defense typically protects smaller linebackers and lets them fly aggressively to ball–what Schwesinger does best. He also showed up bigger than his listed weight at the combine, but still registered a 39.5” vert, meaning he may have already started the process of addressing any size concerns. The top of the second is probably earlier than we’d like to draft a linebacker, but–as long as we like his speed–the talent and fit are excellent.
THIRD ROUND
68. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
6-2, 235 lbs.
Quick-triggering downhill linebacker who plays better in a mess than in space
A six-year player–for better or worse–Knight has great instincts in the run game, with a quick trigger, an innate ability to sift through blockers, good pop as a tackler, and solid strength taking on blockers. His physical demeanor and football character are sure to entice our coaching staff, but there are some concerns that he’s a bit too linear for our scheme. He gets overaggressive in his angles to the sideline and doesn’t show great change of direction or burst in coverage. Like Schwesinger, there’s some worry that his overall speed is overstated due to his excellent instincts, but–in this case–Knight may not show the fluidity in space to compensate for it in the passing game. There’s a lot to like here, but Knight’s best fit is probably on a defense that asks its linebackers to play backwards and in space less often.
97. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
6-2, 224 lbs.
Athletic cover guy and excellent tackler with injury and instinct concerns
A three-year starter who led the 2022 National Champion Bulldogs in tackles as a sophomore, Mondon’s an excellent athlete with high-end coverage potential who never misses a tackle. While on the smaller side, he has all the physical tools to be a starting linebacker in the NFL, but he’s a tick slow on seeing things and has been injured a lot. With this many years of starting, you’d hope his run game instincts and coverage awareness would be better. To be fair, a move from Mike to the more “run-and-hit” Will position could help in that regard but that’s not a guarantee. While he’s tough, he’s missed a lot of games due to injury, and—in true Georgia Bulldogs fashion—was arrested for reckless driving last summer before pleading out to a misdemeanor.
99. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
6-3, 233 lbs.
Throwback between the tackles thumper with plus athleticism but minus coverage chops
One of college football’s most productive run defenders, Stutsman is a very good athlete with great run game instincts who is at his best coming forward and thumping ballcarriers between the tackles. Unfortunately, the rest of his game has some question marks. The further the run gets outside, the more his angles and tackling efficiency slip, and in coverage, he is quite frankly a liability. While a good athlete, he doesn’t have the hips to play the pass, and he does not have a feel for zone coverage. Stutsman feels like the best fit for a scheme that funnels the run game to their inside backers and goes out of their way to protect them in the passing game. So… kinda the opposite of ours.
*100. Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
6-1, 222 lbs.
Speedy space linebacker with a well-rounded game despite size and strength concerns
One of only three FBS linebackers to score a PFF rating of 78+ in run defense, coverage, and pass rushing, Paul is a great athlete who excels in space and closes on the ball in a hurry. He’s fast, nimble, and impressively fluid in coverage–which is probably where he separates himself the most—but he plays with a relentless demeanor and is always around the ball. His biggest weakness is unquestionably his lack of size and length, which leads to issues taking on blockers and can show up when he’s tackling ballcarriers without a full head of steam. Since he started his career at Arkansas, his build and play style have already generated a lot of Dre Greenlaw comps. It seems fitting that he might be his replacement. The lack of size is a thing (despite comps, he’s 15 pounds lighter than Greenlaw), but Paul feels like a great schematic fit with excellent potential who could play right away.
DAY 3
A converted safety who moved down to the Mike linebacker spot to get their best athletes on the field, *Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon) has the coverage ability of a DB but the physicality and mindset of a linebacker. Fast, fluid, and an excellent tackler, Bassa needs to clean up some of his reads and habits, and was close but never really fully got there as a dominant force in college. But a shift to Will—where his lack of ideal bulk is less likely to get exposed—could help in that regard. He’s a bit more of a project but one that could pay dividends. (3rd-4th)
A former five-star recruit and three-year starter at Clemson, Barrett Carter (Clemson) is another undersized linebacker who hangs his hat on his athleticism and coverage ability. While his smaller stature caps his ability to take on linemen, he does well in space, showing great coverage skills and awareness–even if his ball skills themselves are only average. However, his instincts in the run game are a notch below, and he’s just not a good tackler (11% missed tackle rate). You also worry about his trajectory, as his PFF rating peaked as a sophomore before steadily declining as a junior and senior. (4th)
The other super athletic linebacker for the Bruins, Kain Medrano (UCLA) has truly impressive burst and speed (4.46 forty, 38” vertical), which allows him to affect the game in exciting flashes. But he’s small, can struggle with contact, and needs to get much better at tackling. While some of those misses could be fixed by him reining in his overaggressiveness a bit, the sheer number and consistency of the misses is alarming. (4th)
A two-time UC Davis captain who was also named captain for the Bears in his only year in Berkeley, Teddye Buchanan (Cal) has plus instincts and feel—likely from his long time playing quarterback—to pair with good (but not great) overall athleticism. He’s not super twitchy or sudden, but he’s a good mover in coverage, a strong tackler, and a sneaky blitzer (25 pressures, 5 sacks). He may be more of a Mike than a Will, but he’s intriguing. (5th)
While his mediocre testing raises some questions, Shemar James (Florida) looks quite athletic on tape, with seemingly good down-the-road potential as a speedy sideline-to-sideline defender. He feels a bit lost out there at times and needs to vastly improve his recognition skills to see defensive snaps, but he’s got the physical profile of a dude who can become a critical special teamer while he develops. (5th)
Nick Martin (Oklahoma State) is another vastly undersized linebacker with plus athletic traits. He comes from the Cowboys’ odd 3-3-5 defense, so there’s a little projection here, but he runs well, is physical at the point of attack, and seems comfortable in space. In the fifth he feels like a bit of a discount, but that’s also because he missed most of this season with a knee injury. (5th)
*Eugene Asante (Auburn) blazed to a 4.48 forty at the combine and that speed certainly matches his tape. Like most guys on this list, he’s undersized (6-1, 223 lbs.), but he’s an Energizer bunny type who flies around the field and plays with an infectious level of energy. Being perennially cranked to 100 gets him into trouble and out of position at times, and his overall production is underwhelming for a linebacker. But this guy feels like an immediate special teams ace who could grow into a defensive missile if he hones the instincts and control. (5th-6th)
A three-year James Madison player before following Curt Cignetti to the Hoosiers, *Jailin Walker (Indiana) is the lightest of a very small crop of linebacker prospects (6-0, 219 lbs.) but seems like he could add some weight while still keeping his rocket speed (4.40 forty, 10.53 10-yard split). When he sees it, he flies to it, and he’s got a knack for the ball, tallying six forced fumbles and five picks over the past three years. He’s clearly got the physical tools for immediate special teams work, and his production improved after a massive jump in competition a year ago. Could wind up a positionless nomad, but the appeal is there. (7th)
With 33 tackles for loss over the past two years, *Chandler Martin (Memphis) is a quick-trigger linebacker who plays active, reads fast, and flies to ball. Sometimes that aggressiveness runs him past the play or into blockers who can swallow up his smaller frame. And despite his impressive athleticism (4.54 forty, 37” vert) he’s not particularly great at coverage. But fast and instinctual is a good place to start. (UDFA)
An impressive size-speed guy, Justin Barron (Syracuse) was moved all over the field for the Orange, playing linebacker, safety, and big nickel as a three-year starter. Given that, you’d hope he was a little better and smoother in coverage, but he plays hard and runs fast. He’d contribute to specials immediately and perhaps—when put in just a single position—he could grow into the role to become something more. (UDFA)
BLIND GUESS
Lost in the departure of Dre Greenlaw is the fact that we also let Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles walk this off-season, meaning there are only two players on our roster who we’re comfortable with playing legitimate defensive minutes, and one of them is super injury-prone. The team seems optimistic on former seventh-rounders Jalen Graham and Tatum Bethune, but they feel more like projected depth pieces than players to rely on. I think we draft a guy we think can start right away and another (either drafted or as an UDFA) as a special teams ace with developmental upside.
There are quite a few linebackers in this class who seem like scheme fits, but only a few who feel like immediate starters, which is why I’d expect us to draft a linebacker by the end of the third round, top of the fourth at the latest. Schwesinger at 43 (or slightly higher, based on trades down/up) is probably the earliest we’d take a linebacker, while Bassa or maybe Carter feels like the lower-end of the spectrum for immediate contributors. If there hasn’t been a run on the position and we like all those dudes in the fourth round range, we could very well try and wait it out until the end of the fourth to address the position, but given how hard we tried to retain Dre Greenlaw (after he signed with the Broncos…), we clearly aren’t happy with our linebacker room. So waiting could be risky.
Go Niners 🏈👍
2025 Draft: Offensive Tackles
doubling up on Membou photos in hopes of willing it into existence
Part III of our draft preview series looks at our most annoyingly consistent weakness–the offensive line. Per usual, any number before a player dictates their “consensus big board” ranking. Asterisks (*) by names mark some of my favorite prospect/scheme fits.
With the Niners seemingly happy to let Ben Bartch and Nick Zakelj battle it out for the second guard position, this was going to be a write-up about tackles and centers. But then Shanahan had to wax poetic about surefire starter Jake Brendel at the owners’ meetings… so now, this writeup has become only about tackles.
While defenses have started to target some schematic weaknesses in our dropback passing game–namely our preference for hot routes over protection shifts on third and longs–most of our linemen are also just worse at pass blocking than they are at run blocking. Given our heavy lean on the running game and play action, our preference for run blockers makes sense, but it’s also possible to get guys who can do both. We just need to invest the draft capital to find them.
THE SKILLSET
Tackle is where we’re the pickiest, both in terms of athleticism and actually spending draft picks on the position (lol). These guys need to regularly pull off stretch blocks against wide-aligned defensive ends who know it’s coming and coordinate complex combination and switch blocks with tight ends and fullbacks on the edges. This is where quickness, athleticism, and range are critical. Luckily, those are also some of the key athletic traits for strong pass blockers. So there’s no reason why we can’t have both. It’s just difficult when you’re not spending the capital. And since Lynch and Shanahan have arrived, we’ve only spent one draft pick in the first two days on the tackle position.
THE NEED
With Trent getting old and missing a bunch of time last year and Jaylon Moore moving on in free agency, I think we’re well aware that we need to, at least, develop a tackle of the future. I still contend we wanted to take one in the second round of last year’s draft, which was much stronger at the position, but then got sniped by the Ravens (and potentially the Texans and Packers), making the need more pressing this off-season. But given the shape of this tackle class, which has very few prospects who mesh with our system outside of the top of the draft, I don’t think we force it. Maybe our stubbornness is actually a good thing this year and will prevent us from reaching on a prospect. But also… we have to add a tackle eventually? Right?
It’s also worth noting that there are so many guard/tackle tweeners in this draft class that it has actually become quite a ripe class for guards. While I won’t be including any pure guards in this write-up, there’s a chance we snag someone to play along the interior based purely on value in the middle-to-late rounds.
FIRST ROUND
Just a reminder, if you’re looking for descriptions of players we may pick at 11, you wanna check out the 1st round preview.
6. Armand Membou, Missouri
11. Will Campbell, LSU
18. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
25. Josh Simmons, Ohio State
SECOND ROUND
33. Josh Conerly, Oregon
6-5, 311 lbs.
Ascending athlete with sky-high potential who needs to add power and reps
Conerly started his high school career as a running back, so it should be no surprise that he’s an excellent mover, and his frame, length (33.5” arms), athleticism, and upward trajectory are all enticing fits for our scheme. He’s been mocked a bit in the first round—which seems a tad early—but in the second, the value feels better. But for all the upside Conerly has, it’s important to note that he’s likely in for some rough reps until he gets settled in the NFL.
At the moment, Conerly lacks punch and heft and can get bullied by bigger players. And while his burst and foot quickness are both excellent, they can be hindered at times by holes in his technique. So while he’s had his moments of rapid growth–a strong performance against Abdul Carter late in the season being one of them–he also suffers from some brutal reps, often when he gets overpowered–like his viral bulldozing at the hands of Mike Green during Senior Bowl practice. That could lead to some growing pains and PTSD flashbacks of ugly losses from McGlinchey and McKivitz over the years. The potential and trajectory are both pointing up. Just don’t expect him to be a plus performer out of the gate.
40. OT/OG, Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
6-4, 315 lbs.
A career guard whose emergency move to left tackle has bumped up his draft stock
A long-time guard who was considered purely an interior prospect until early this fall, Jackson bounced out to left tackle when Josh Simmons went down early in the season and was such a natural that he’s now being looked at for both positions. A film rat who had the best GPA on the team, Jackson’s got good agility for the zone stretch game, solid power as a run blocker, and could have genuine guard/tackle flexibility. There are some false steps and sustain issues in his game, and he probably still projects best as a guard, but the Niners are sure to like his intelligence.
57. OT, Aireontae Ersey, Minnesota
6-6, 331 lbs.
Heavy-handed monster of a tackle who moves better than he should
Minnesota’s massive, powerful tackle may not fit the mold of the typical players we employ outside, but he spent three years in the Golden Gophers’ zone scheme and moves very well for his size. He’s a person mover, with a strong punch and grippy hands, although I’m sure scouts were hoping his arm length (33.5”) would measure past 34” to help make up for some of his shortcomings. He’s a better-than-expected athlete but not a great one, and there’s some technical sloppiness in his game that he’ll need to clean up to make up for his size and the fact that he plays a bit high. He still feels like he’s bound for more of an inside zone/gap/power-based scheme, but–despite his size–I wouldn’t consider him out of the running.
THIRD ROUND
*67. OT/OG, Marcus Mbow, Purdue
6-4, 303 lbs.
Great athlete and easy mover who lacks proper tackle size but has a puncher’s chance to stick there
Mbow is more likely than not a guard on the NFL level (or maybe even a center?), but he’s going in this write-up anyway because I like him and the pickens at tackle (for our scheme at least) are SLIM. A former basketball player, Mbow is an excellent mover and one of the better athletes in this OL class, with twitch, fluidity, and good hand usage in everything he does. But he is very light for tackle and has super short arms (32”). He needs mass and more reps wherever he winds up, but he’s got the look of a starter somewhere in a scheme like ours with potential five position swing ability as well.
71. OT, Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
6-8, 316 lbs.
Giant pass pro-first tackle with NFL bloodlines who might benefit from being more giant
A towering three-year starter at right tackle, Ozzy–whose father was an NFL tackle–is technically sound with solid movement skills. He showed added power this year and does a good job of using his size in the passing game, but that same size–his height in particular–can make it tough for him to get leverage and generate movement in the run game. He’d probably benefit from added weight to help him lean into the “huge guy” style of tackle play, but–either way–he may not be the best fit for our offense.
89. Cameron Williams, Texas
6-6, 317 lbs.
A prototypical frame that needs many firmware updates to be game-ready
With solid athleticism and ideal size and length, it’s not hard to imagine why people like Williams. At his best, he can engulf defenders in the run game and present a brick wall to pass rushers. But everything about him is raw. He’s not technically sound, he’s not consistent, and his issues show up clearly in his huge number of penalties (18 in 16 career starts). The upside is there, but the development curve will be lengthy. He’s nowhere near ready.
*91. OT, Charles Grant, William & Mary
6-5, 311 lbs.
Polished, high-upside FCS prospect with traits and a track record that project quite well
Yet another late riser who I’d penciled in as a lock for us at the top of the fourth round, Grant’s stock has skyrocketed to the point where it is very hard to determine where he gets selected. In a class that has so few guys with prototypical tackle frames, Grant is the exception. The two-time FCS All-American pairs excellent height and length (34.75” arms) with great athleticism, a physical mindset, and consistent, high-level technique. He’s a five-year college player who started 41 games over that time and whose technique is more advanced than many of the big school guys ahead of him. He may benefit from added bulk, and the step up in competition will be significant, but both the foundation and traits feel likely to travel well to the next level. He may or may not be a day 1 starter, but this feels like the type of prospect who can be had at an FCS discount with big-time payoff at a critical position.
95. Anthony Belton, N.C. State
6-6, 336 lbs.
The biggest of the big men with big man skills and big man problems
An absolute behemoth who is hard to miss, Belton’s a big player who plays a big man style of football. He does a good job of anchoring down, locking out defenders with his long arms, and mauling people with his strength. But while his footwork and speed are better than you’d expect on inside zone runs, when a defender forces him to change direction, his lack of movement skills shows up in a hurry. His recovery ability isn’t great, which can lead to misses and penalties (eight in each of the past three seasons). He’s a power tackle who doesn’t really fit our offense.
DAY 3
What’s that you say? There are only two true tackles in the entire second day who feel like good scheme fits? Yep. Last year was the year to get a tackle who you planned to play early. This year, not so much. But at least there are some interesting developmental guys.
At 6-7.5, 304 pounds, *Chase Lundt (UConn), is a great athlete who thrives in space, whether that’s on pulls and traps or blocking and sustaining on-the-move in the wide zone concepts we love so much. But he lacks size and power in all facets of his game, which isn’t helped by his naturally high pad level and his shorter arms (32 ⅝). He feels like a swing tackle (at least). And if he can add mass to his lower body while keeping his movement skills intact, perhaps more. (4th)
A one-year starter with a boom-or-bust trajectory, Logan Brown (Kansas) is a big dude with good athleticism, heavy hands, and impressive power. But while the wins look great, bad habits and sloppy technique also contribute to some ugly losses. It’s not hard to see a starter down the road, but it’s also not hard to see his technique never approaching a playable level. (4th-5th)
A Princeton transfer with just one year of FBS ball under his belt, *Jalen Travis (Iowa State) is a solid athlete who excels at blocking on the move in the run game and has the quicks and intelligence for pass protection. With middling strength, he gets into trouble when guys get into his pads and/or overwhelm him, but the foundation and athleticism make for an intriguing developmental project. (5th-6th)
A good mover with a basketball background, Branson Taylor (Pitt) has good slide quickness, hands, and initial pop in the run game. But his lack of length and sustain issues hold him back. He’s on an upward trajectory, although he may wind up at guard. (6th)
Yet another former basketball player, Esa Pole (Washington State) is nowhere near game ready as an NFL player, but he’s got a big body with nimble feet and powerful hands and only started playing football in 2021. The flashes, traits, and freshness to the game are all intriguing as a late-round flier. (6th-7th)
A project through and through, Caleb Etienne (BYU) has great size (6-7, 329 lbs.), length (36” arms), and testing athleticism (5.01 forty), but he never really put it together until this year—his sixth in college. Even if his quickness may not match the testing numbers, there’s some intrigue here as a developmental flier. (UDFA)
BLIND GUESS
We’ve had meetings with four of the five highest-rated tackles in this draft, so we know the Niners brass are doing their due diligence at the position. But at 11, the value may not be there. And in a class where a lot of the highest-rated tackles lack ideal length and could be better fits at guard, a mid-round developmental pick may prove prudent.
I personally love Charles Grant as a guy with long-term tools who may be ready to play sooner rather than later. Lundt is intriguing as well if we think he can add some mass. But given the scarcity of scheme fits and the many other needs on our roster, nothing is guaranteed. Regardless of how/when we address the position, what I really want is for us to invest in traits. We’ve spent too many years picking guys late with physical limitations who may—eventually—play above their draft slots but whose ceilings are hard-capped by measurables. McKivitz and Skule (who both started for their respective teams last year), and Zakelj (if he starts and performs okay this year) are all impressive developmental wins. No one is doubting that. But that’s a lot of time to put into developing players who lack upside.
If a draft prospect doesn’t seem wired right or the staff feels like he lacks the intelligence to cut it in our scheme, then I get it. Hard pass. But we need to add some guys who could become high-level starters down the road rather than settle for back-of-roster types on the cheap who we build up over the years into part-time starters or average full-timers. Yes, we’re coaching well and squeezing value out of late rounders. But at some point, it becomes a little too much like what the SF Giants have been doing. Winning on the margins is great. It’s a tremendous indicator of sustainability and often separates good teams from great ones. But committing only to those margins when there are higher-level options available for nothing but the sake of value squeezing is how mediocre teams and mediocre positional groups get and stay mediocre.
Tackle may or may not be a “right now” need, but it is a giant looming one sooner rather than later. So if we’re gonna spend a pick in this draft to find the next man up, let’s spend it on a guy who could excel at that position rather than just hold down the fort and maintain a status quo that we’re not happy with.
Go Niners 🏈👍
2025 Draft: Edges
searching for Bosa’s dance partner
Part II of our draft position preview series stays along the defensive line with the (seemingly) never-ending search for Bosa’s running mate at defensive end. Per usual, any number before a player dictates their “consensus big board” ranking. Asterisks (*) by names mark some of my favorite prospect/scheme fits.
Until Leonard Floyd put up 8.5 sacks a year ago, the most successful non-Bosa defensive end–in terms of sacks at least–was Arden Key, who tallied 7 while playing an inside-out hybrid role back in 2021. That’s not great.
Except for the few games Bosa and a healthy Dee Ford played together in 2019, we’ve largely gotten by with a slew of rotational players opposite our star defensive end. If we want to rejuvenate our pass rush, and–when guys get too costly–our comp pick pipeline, we need to develop some homegrown talent at the league’s second-most expensive position.
THE SKILLSET
People hear wide 9 and think first steps and closing speed are all that matter. But that’s not necessarily the case. The Wide 9 gives our linemen extra width and space to generate an advantage on offensive tackles, but how they obtain that advantage can vary by player. Dee Ford got it with an elite first step that outflanked tackles before they could get into their pass sets. Arik Armstead got it through building momentum to use his long arms and power to put blockers on skates. Bosa? Well, it mostly just gives him more space to work one-on-one looks. Once our ends get that advantage, it’s up to them to close down that space–in their proper rush lanes–so that we can collapse the pocket without opening up scrambling lanes for the quarterback.
But the wide 9 is only a part-time alignment. The key to performing well on both the passing downs when we employ it and the earlier downs when we run more traditional formations is to have players who specialize in controlled disruption, regardless of how they may generate it.
THE NEED
An eventual starter-caliber player opposite Bosa and/or rotational pass rush depth. We would happily take both, but may only be able to secure one or the other.
1ST ROUND
Just a reminder, if you’re looking for descriptions of players we may pick at 11, you wanna check out the 1st round preview.
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State
8. Jalon Walker, Georgia
14. Mike Green, Marshall
15. Mykel Williams, Georgia
16. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
20. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
6-4, 245 lbs.
Speed merchant whose bend and technical growth will determine his ceiling
An explosive speed rusher whose testing numbers (4.47 forty, 1.56 10-yard split) match his tape, Pearce has racked up 17.5 sacks over the past two years and a sky-high 23% PWR (2024) to boot. He’s slippery ducking inside of blockers and closes on QBs in a hurry, and he shares a lot of physical similarities with shoe-in top ten picks of the past. But there’s some stiffness in his hips and choppiness in his feet that sometimes prevents him from smoothly running the hoop and finishing, and—in terms of pass rush moves—he’s got to work on his craft. At a lean 245 pounds, the mass and strength concerns that we had with Jalon Walker are certainly present with Pearce. It’s also worth noting that “unnamed sources” have claimed that Pearce was a locker room headache with massive immaturity concerns throughout college. Is there any legitimacy to these claims? Who knows. It could be just pre-draft B.S. But the Niners will do their best to find out through the interview process.
26. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
6-2.5, 248 lbs.
Bendy, skilled, and productive pass rusher who lacks explosive elements to his game
If Pearce is an explosive athlete with concerns over hip stiffness, Ezeiruaku is the opposite. His first step is mediocre, but he’s got great bend to run the hoop and take down ball carriers once he’s in the backfield, which is where he finds himself quite a bit due to his versatile pass rushing toolkit. However, size and power are issues in his game, and this, combined with his lack of burst, probably means he’s a better fit as a 3-4 rush end than a base end in a four-man front.
NOTE: Defensive End Mike Green out of Marshall is at least worth mentioning here because I actually like his tape quite a lot, but I would presume he’s off our board due to the revelation that he was booted from UVA and his high school over two separate allegations of sexual assault. This was something that he brought up during the combine, and–of course–he states his innocence. Nonetheless, this feels like a landmine to avoid.
2ND ROUND
Once again, don’t take the second and third round dividing lines as gospel. There’s no consensus in this draft and they’re only guidelines for easier visualization.
42. Landon Jackson, Arkansas
6-6, 264 lbs.
Unorthodox athlete with a frame and funky athleticism that somehow both help and hurt his ceiling
Years ago, a video circulated on social media of a lanky high school prospect awkwardly going through a bag drill at a recruiting camp. Well, jokes on us, cause that guy is probably getting taken in the top 50 picks of the NFL draft. Jackson’s a hard prospect to comp because of his high-cut frame and unorthodox movement skills. He’s actually more bendy than you’d guess given his frame, but–despite strong overall athleticism (4.68 forty, 40.5” vertical)–his first step and fluidity are less than ideal. He doesn’t project as an elite pass rusher, but he’s a high-effort and technically sound player with a broad-shouldered frame and a high floor. If he can continue packing weight onto his frame, perhaps his power game can overcome some fluidity issues and his pass rush ceiling winds up higher than expected.
*44. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
6-3, 257 lbs.
High-motor scrapper with a wrecking ball approach and potentially underrated athleticism
While getting Scourton with our second-round pick would be great, this ranking feels like it could be a touch low. Scourton was listed at 280 this past season but showed up to the combine 23 pounds lighter. In some situations, that’s a bad thing. But in this case, Scourton–who looked more explosive in 2023 while at Purdue and in pre-draft workouts than he did in his one season at A&M–could benefit from the weight loss. So could the team that eventually drafts him.
Scourton is a brawler on the edge, with excellent aggression, good power, and a growing array of pass rush moves to get to the quarterback. While his sacks and QB hits were down from a year ago, he eclipsed 36 or more pressures in each of the past two seasons while totaling a 17% PWR and excellent pass rush grades in his one-year stop in College Station. He feels like a long-time NFL player, and while his lack of testing numbers makes for some guesswork, if he truly is a step more athletic than he showed last year, he could easily outplay his draft position.
56. JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
6-4, 265 lbs.
Jack-of-all-trades with a high floor and a nose for the ball
Tuimoloau is solid at everything–a high-floor, two-way performer with good size, good athleticism, and a strong bull rush game as a pass rusher. He’s instinctive in the short and screen game, moves well in space, and is a three-year first-team All-Big Ten selection with a knack for finding the ball. He feels like a safe bet to have a long NFL career and become a starter sooner rather than later, but he hasn’t shown the technical expertise, burst, or bend to project him as a future premier pass rusher.
*59. Jordan Burch, Oregon
6-4, 279 lbs.
A sleeping giant with great power and athleticism, waiting to be awoken
A first-off-the-bus type and the next in a long line of giant Oregon defensive linemen, Burch’s size and athleticism (4.67 forty) present tremendous upside and inside-out versatility. But right now, his traits far outweigh his production. At the moment, he’s basically got one move: physics. When he gets into people’s pads and gets moving, his bull rush can ragdoll blockers, and he is alarmingly quick to close on the ball when that happens. But he needs to be much more consistent at getting blockers in those positions and figure out a counter or two when plan A doesn’t work out. Despite his ten sacks last season, Burch is a bit of a project, but the Niners have a great relationship with the Oregon coaching staff and should know quickly whether he’s wired the right way to maximize his considerable physical talents.
60. Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
6-4, 260 lbs.
Strong and active run defender who plays hard but lacks pass rush upside
The Buckeyes’ other five-star defensive end from their vaunted 2021 recruiting class, Sawyer had excellent pass rush numbers as a senior, totaling 10 sacks, 26 QB hits, and 64 pressures (good for 4th in FBS). To some, that may point to untapped potential and an ascending pass rusher, but I’m not sure I see it. Sawyer is powerful at the point of attack and–against the run–does a good job of locking out his arms and keeping tackles off his body. But he is a linear, one-trick pony in his rush and lacks the first-step quickness, athleticism, and pass-rush savvy to present much upside in the department. Still, he feels like a long-time pro and a ready-made run defender. But his greatest pass rush contributions may come via hustle plays and clean-up sacks.
64. Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
6-4, 244 lbs.
Finesse edge with “gangly noodle alien from Edge of Tomorrow” upside
Long, bendy, agile, and with sneaky stride lengths that eat up space in a hurry, Umanmielen seems like a dude who may need to be a stand-up rusher in a 3-4, in part due to size but also because he just feels like a finesse edge who needs to watch things develop to be at his best. He was super productive in that role this season, with 50 pressures and a top 10 PWR (22.8%), but just isn’t a guy who sets edges and plays with power at the moment. He’s a super interesting prospect with considerable upside once he improves substantially at the point of attack, but he may not be a good scheme fit for us.
3RD ROUND
70. Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
6-1, 249 lbs.
Undersized edge who wins off quickness, effort, and aggression
Like other edge prospects of similar stature, Stewart’s lack of size may limit him to a future as a 3-4 OLB, but while he’ll likely have anchor issues in the pros, he plays hard, fast, and aggressive at all times. He’s got a great first step and a good pass rush stem, dipping and ripping and taking advantage of slow-footed tackles with his quickness and approach. Without ideal length or size and good but not great closing speed, he’ll need to add more pass rush moves to his toolkit, but he was massively productive throughout college (30 career sacks), his 27.7% PWR was second best in the country this year, and his mentality should translate well to the pros.
*73. Bradyn Swinson, LSU
6-4, 255 lbs.
One-year wonder with long-term pass rush potential
A late-bloomer who started only one year in college but made the most of it once he got on the field, Swinson racked up 60 pressures (9th in FBS) and a 22.1% PWR (13th in FBS) this season. With a frame that can likely add more weight, long arms, slick athleticism, and hand usage and instincts that belie his few collegiate starts, Swinson is a one-year wonder with some intriguing pass rush upside, even though there’s a lot of fine-tuning and technique work left in his development.
*78. Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
6-3, 259 lbs.
High upside developmental project who’s shown hints of developing faster than expected
A late-riser whom I thought we could snag in the fourth round but may need to spend more capital on now, Oladejo only moved from off-ball linebacker to edge last fall, so there’s a lot of technique that needs refining and experience that needs to be had before he can become a regular contributor. But the combination of build, length, bend, and athleticism has already produced promising results quicker than anyone could have expected. While there are no guarantees that he’ll put everything together, he seems like a quick study with sky-high upside.
90. Jared Ivey, Ole Miss
6-6, 274 lbs.
Big-bodied power end with inside-out potential if he can clean up his craft
With a massive build and the strength to use it, Ivey can toss his weight around versus both the run and the pass. While lacking great burst, he’s surprisingly nimble for a man of his size, but sometimes he leans too much into it, vacating rush lanes while hunting the quarterback. In general, he’s a guy with the tools to be an excellent power end, but you wanna see it more often. If he can improve his technique and become more disciplined and consistent, he could become a dangerous inside-out threat.
*92. Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
6-4, 254 lbs.
Slender speed rusher with run game holdups but pass rush juice to spare
A lean pass rusher who wins with a quick first step, slipperiness through the hole, and by using his long arms to keep blockers off his body, Kennard’s active hands and athletic profile make for a great pass rush foundation. However, he can get bullied at the point of attack and in the run game, and with his ability to add more weight in question, he’ll need to continue refining his hand technique and develop more counter moves to become a full-time player rather than a pass rush specialist. If he can hang in the run game, the scheme fit and pass rush potential are pretty nice.
DAY 3
INSIDE-OUT THREATS: We love guys who have the size and power to slide inside on passing downs and operate in twists and games. Each of these guys has the prerequisite bulk and play style to rush inside from time-to-time.
While he lacks the first step and athleticism we typically covet in defensive ends, Ashton Gillotte (Louisville) is a highly productive pass rusher who wins with great power and a relentless motor. He’d need to rein in some wild pursuit angles to solidify himself in the run game, but it’s hard to deny his production (118 pressures over the past two years). (3rd-4th)
Without ideal speed or bend, there’s some debate on whether Sai’vion Jones (LSU) belongs inside or out, but he’s got a 6-6, 283-pound frame, long-ass arms, and youth (21) on his side as he figures it out. (3rd-4th)
You want a big power end who could play some inside? How about the 6-4, 285-pound Elijah Roberts (SMU), who uses his strength, long arms, and powerful base to beat up tackles? He’s not the dynamic athlete we typically like on the edge, but his unique build and playstyle could prove valuable, especially if he can genuinely play inside or out. (4th-5th)
A good athlete with decent size, Tyler Baron (Miami Fl.) doesn’t have great burst or strength but is a slippery pass rusher with experience playing on the edge or condensing inside on passing downs. (6th)
COLLEGE OVERACHIEVERS: Productive college players whose lack of measurables has led them to slip down draft boards. Typically (but not always) lower ceiling players with the technical ability to give them a decent rotational floor.
At 6-1, 263 pounds with short arms, *David Walker (Central Arkansas) is below some teams’ height and length thresholds (and played on the ugliest football field on planet earth), but he was a dominant FCS performer, totaling 82.5 TFLs and 39 sacks over four years while being named All-American in three straight years. The length concerns are legit, but he is explosive, powerful, and has natural pass-rushing instincts. (4th)
With back-to-back years of double-digit sacks (for two different programs), Fadil Diggs (Syracuse) is a productive stand-up rusher who would need to learn to play with his hand on the ground. He doesn’t have great burst, but as a big guy (6-4, 257 lbs.) with nearly 34” long arms and sneaky stride lengths that match his 4.57 forty, there’s a lot to work with. (4th-5th)
The first player from Egypt to ever play FBS football, Ahmed Hassanein (Boise State), didn’t enter the country until 2018 then started playing football a year later. He’s a tough, high-motor guy who put up the third-most pressures in FBS (115) over the past two years. Only a decent athlete, he’s shown fast improvement and probably has a higher ceiling than he’s given credit for due to how new he is to the sport. (6th)
PASS RUSH SPECIALISTS: Their run game impact may be debatable, but they can do the other thing well enough that they could at least become part of a subpackage rush unit.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech) racked up 19 TFLs and 16 sacks as a senior–his second straight year leading the Hokies in both categories. A skilled pass rusher and flexible athlete, his below-average length and (only) above-average burst cap his ceiling a bit, and at 6-2.5, 258 pounds, he could be a liability in the run game. (5th-6th)
Quick off the ball and powerful through his lower body, Kaimon Rucker (North Carolina) plays stronger than his size (6-0, 254 lbs.) when he can get his base set, but he can get swallowed up when he doesn’t. He’s got a nice pass rush foundation with a few good moves and active hands, but doesn’t have much of a plan when he doesn’t win early. (6th)
DEVELOPMENTAL SWINGS: Toolsy long plays for Kocurek to mold like clay.
*Jah Joyner (Minnesota) has the size (6-4, 262 lbs.), length (34” arms), and athleticism (4.60 forty) that you want at the position, but his process is predictable and clunky, and he’s still very much a work in progress. Albeit one with impressive upside. (5th)
A productive FCS product with some intriguing testing scores (1.56 10-yard split, 41” vert) and good length, *Elijah Ponder (Cal Poly) is quick off the ball, uses his hands well, and feels like a good late round flier, even if he tops out as a subpackage pass rusher. (6th-7th)
An undersized but high-effort player with long arms and good burst, Seth Coleman (Illinois) hasn’t really put the rest of it together, but he’s got some pass rusher potential if he can align his first step with the rest of his game. (UDFA)
BLIND GUESS
I think we want to exit this draft with a defensive end in tow who we think could be the long-term, full-time starter opposite Bosa. He doesn’t have to be that now, but he has to have enough production, experience, and projectable traits for us to feel confident about his trajectory after a year of learning on the job. That probably means we’re picking that dude as early as the first round and as late as the bottom of the third.
If we don’t secure a guy by the end of day 2, expect us to throw multiple bodies at the problem in the later rounds in hopes that we can develop a deep enough rotation that someone will emerge down the road. This is actually a great time for a project player either in the mid-rounds (Oladejo, Swinson) or earlier (Stewart, Williams) because we jettisoned Leonard Floyd specifically to force a rookie to take on major snaps. With our needs at defensive end and at defensive tackle, don’t be shocked if we use the meme approach. Spending four of our first six or seven picks on the DL isn’t wildly unrealistic. Nor is it necessarily a bad thing.
Go Niners 🏈👍
2025 Draft: Defensive Tackles
large and in charge
Our position preview series kicks off with the strongest position in this draft class and the biggest hole on our roster: defensive tackle. Per usual, any number before a player dictates their “consensus big board” ranking. Asterisks (*) by names mark some of my favorite prospect/scheme fits.
Football isn’t always won in the trenches, but when you can dominate both lines of scrimmage you make things a helluva lot easier for yourself. And while our needs along the offensive line could be considered, due to long-term neglect, more annoying, the situation along our defensive line is more dire.
After a long run of strong defensive play, last year’s defense fell to 13th in DVOA and 22nd in EPA/play. Against the run, we were 22nd in DVOA and 26th in EPA/rush. And while that unit was beset with injuries, some of those injured players aren’t coming back (Huf, Dre, Hargrave), while other more available members of last year’s defense have signed elsewhere (Floyd, Collins, Ward).
THE SKILLSET
The Wide 9 makes things more and less complicated when scouting defensive linemen. We know we want guys who can explode off the ball and shoot into the backfield, so fast first steps and 10-yard splits are important. But to prevent getting gashed on the ground, we also need guys who can come in under control and hold their own at the point of attack. A lot of players are one or the other–not both. So the trick here is finding guys with the right blend of both skill sets and then—when those guys run out—mixing and matching the more one-dimensional prospects.
This isn’t a scheme where we need a traditional space-eating nose tackle, but we’ve been at our best when we can pair one of our gap shooters with an interior player who is elite against the run. For years, DJ Jones held down the middle as a true NT before handing off that duty to Arik Armstead–who wasn’t a nose tackle but had the strength and stoutness of one at the point of attack.
THE NEED
At least two guys who can play right away. At least one who can start earlier than later. The best-case scenario is a three-tech type with high-end pass rusher ability AND a nose tackle type who can stuff the run but still has pass rush potential down the road.
1ST ROUND
Just a reminder, if you’re looking for descriptions of players we may pick at 11 (like the first three names on this list), you wanna check out the 1st round preview.
4. Mason Graham, Michigan
22. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
27. Derrick Harmon, Oregon
30. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
6-4, 331 lbs.
Grant is the first–and most intriguing–of a string of monstrous nose tackles with serious athletic upside. A regular on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, Grant is certified gigantic, but he moves better than some defensive ends. And when he gets a runway to a quarterback, it’s like a horror movie in how quickly he closes distance.
Grant didn’t test as well as his pro day as many expected, but—nonetheless—the potential here is pretty outrageous. Guys that big and that explosive typically get drafted high, and Grant will be no exception. But his pass rush ability is a work in progress. You know he can stop the run. He’s shown that. At worst, he’ll be a two-down run-stuffer who can make plays up and down the line. And he put up a respectable 27 pressures last season, so there’s at least some production to match the pass rush potential. But without a tremendous first step or the natural agility to routinely win early over linemen, he has to work for any pass rush he creates. Which means he must get better at keeping his pads low and stringing together moves. The flashes are there, but consistency and polish are needed. Grant is a nose tackle through and through, and while he could shape into someone in the Vita Vea/Haloti Ngata mold, there’s also a world where he never moves the needle vs the pass.
Shades of: DJ Jones on HGH
2ND ROUND
Separating day 2 prospects into round 2 and round 3 is a largely futile exercise, but I’ve done exactly that in hopes that it can help better visualize the clumping of talent in different position groups. However, the separation between rounds is based solely on the consensus big board ranking and shouldn’t be taken as gospel.
*46. Tyleik Williams - Ohio State
6-3, 334 lbs.
A run-stuffing bowling ball with quick flashes of pass-rush prowess
If Kenneth Grant was a run-stopping specialist who needed to improve his pass rush, Williams is an even greater exaggeration of the same mold. Both huge, both athletic, both excellent against the run. But while Grant averaged 25 pressures and 4 sacks over the past two years, Williams averaged 21 pressures and 2.5 sacks. And while Grant’s PWR of 9.4% was a weak spot in his game, Williams had a lowly PWR of 6.6% and a pass rush PFF rating of 59.5(!). He’s shown flashes of greater potential in that area, so his upside is still high. But–like Grant–don’t be surprised if he winds up more of a one-way player.
49. Darius Alexander, Toledo
6-4, 305 lbs.
Small school post-season riser whose potential is only capped by his advanced age
Alexander was one of the big winners of the Senior Bowl, looking athletic and more than capable against larger school opponents before keeping his momentum going with a 9.20 RAS score (out of 10.00) at the combine. He’s a two-way three-technique with great strength who is more advanced as a run stuffer but whose 37 pressures last season point to solid pass rushing upside. Some believe his age (24) caps his ceiling. Whether that’s true or not, he seems like a player whose best ball is ahead of him.
*52. TJ Sanders - South Carolina
6-4, 297 lbs.
Ascending two-way talent whose hand usage and power give him a nice ceiling and floor
10 sacks and 25 QB hits over two years is a solid stat line for a defensive tackle in college, especially one who just started playing football as a junior in high school. Sanders isn’t as athletic as some other guys on this list. His first step is only average and he lacks some lateral movement and fluidity to his game. But he’s powerful at the point of attack, has great hand usage to disengage, and is both an accomplished pass rusher and an excellent run defender. As a late starter, he’s also gotten consistently better every season he’s played football, making for a player with a high two-way floor who still has some room to grow.
58. Joshua Farmer, Florida State
6-3, 305 lbs.
Long-levered scrapper with a bowling ball approach
For better or worse, there’s not much nuance to Farmer’s game. He’s big, explosive, and uses his long ass arms to keep linemen off his body as he bull rushes into the backfield. His size and strength give him some positional versatility, but he’s more of a chaos agent than a polished product, which leads to some lost plays and blown assignments against the run. There’s plenty of potential here, but you gotta find a way to keep him reined in and pointed in the right direction.
62. Alfred Collins - Texas
6-6, 332 lbs.
Monstrous power-first player who is better against the run than the pass
The last of the trio of “high potential two-gappers,” Collins has ideal size and length and improved dramatically this season after stepping into the shoes of Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat. His long arms help him bat down passes and show off his strength, which manifests most prominently in the run game. But–at the moment–batting down passes is probably his most effective move against the pass. He’s not a lost cause in the department, but he isn’t the athlete Grant and Williams are, so his pass-rush projection is much more bearish.
*65. Shemar Turner - Texas A&M
6-3, 290 lbs.
Violent, high-effort one-gapper who tows the line between “to” and “after” the whistle
Turner is a bit of a tweener, but that’s not necessarily an issue for our scheme, and he plays with the kind of violence and aggression that can offset some of his size limitations. He was potentially destined for the first round before playing the 2024 season on a stress fracture, which showcased his toughness but led to a major dropoff in play from his junior year. He’s full go all the time, which is a coach’s dream… except for when that translates into a slew of 15-yard penalties… which Turner has had a bunch of throughout college. If this is a Dre Greenlaw situation–where the player isn’t dirty but he gets caught on the wrong side of the line more often than most–then who cares. But we’d wanna make sure that’s all it is in pre-draft interviews before pulling the trigger.
3RD ROUND
*77. Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee
6-2, 291 lbs.
The half-empty/half-full debate in a small sample size pass rushing wonder
I’m gonna give you two stats to explain why Norman-Lott is such a polarizing prospect: 18.9% PWR, the best in the country along the interior DL, but he only played 17.4 defensive snaps per game. Norman-Lott is an excellent athlete with good size, a great first step, and impressive fluidity. He can struggle to anchor and needs a better pass rush plan when he doesn’t win early, but if you just watch his highlight reel, you’d think he was a top 10 player. So why did a guy who tallied as many pressures as Kenneth Grant in nearly 200 fewer pass rush snaps play so few snaps to begin with? And why does a fifth-year player have so much technique work to still hammer out? Is he a late bloomer or someone who has hit a wall skill-wise? Is he a disruptive diamond in the rough or destined for a subpackage interior rusher role in the NFL? These are the many questions dictating Norman-Lott’s draft stock, and I can’t answer them. But if we do like him, the fit and potential are both outstanding.
*98. CJ West, Indiana
6-1, 316 lbs.
Active interior man whose lack of length and height could be mitigated by our one-gapping scheme
A stout, plugger of a player whose stock has risen after his combine testing (9.15 RAS) matched his strong first step on tape, West has short arms and no real go-to pass rush moves, but his strength and athleticism make him potent against the run and viable in stunts, slants, and other types of line games. Not sure how high the ceiling is, but the fit as a rotational tackle with some projectable pass rush juice is intriguing, and it’s not hard to squint and see some traits in West that have worked in the past with other shorter, quicker guys in our scheme.
DAY 3
For round four and later, I’ve tried to separate players into broad archetypes.
DJ JONES(ISH) NOSE TACKLES: Run-first guys with enough size to play the nose and enough quickness to elicit some pass rush upside–even if they may top out as two-down run stuffers.
Jordan Phillips (Maryland) doesn’t turn 21 until after the draft, which explains some of his lack of development and production (zero sacks across 23 college starts). But with good size (6-2, 312 lbs.) and great power and explosiveness, he’s a toolsy developmental play. Just don’t expect immediate returns. (3rd-4th)
Ty Hamilton (Ohio State) is a bulked-up former end who was a bit miscast as a nose tackle in an attempt for the Buckeyes to get their most disruptive four linemen on the field. But the foray into nose gives him a nice pairing of one-gap explosiveness and two-gap scrappiness. He could wind up too small for the nose (6-3, 299 lbs.) but has intrigue either there or as a three-tech. (3rd-4th)
Deone Walker (Kentucky) pairs a 6-7, 331-pound frame with oddly light feet and flashes of dominance (53 pressures, 8 sacks in 2023), but there’s a whole lot of sloppiness to iron out in his game, and he took a big step back this season. His interview will be important. (3rd-4th)
*Jamaree Caldwell (Oregon) will probably not become a fixture in backfields anytime soon, but he’s a big body (6-2, 332 lbs.) with the quickness and activity level of a smaller player and experience playing both nose and three-tech. His size and traits should translate against the run, and his 25 pressures last season point to a glimpse of pass rush potential. (4th)
Payton Page (Clemson) entered college at 395 pounds before committing to his diet and losing 100 pounds so he could see the field. The result is a still-big-bodied player with some surprising quickness for a long-term developmental prospect. (UDFA)
A converted linebacker, Junior Tafuna (Utah) has plus athleticism and—when his pads are right—surprising power at the point of attack. There’s not a lot of surprise or craft to his game, but the movement skills are intriguing and he can sneak up on people with his strength. (UDFA)
COLLEGE OVERACHIEVERS: Productive college players whose lack of measurables has led them to slip down draft boards. Typically (but not always) lower ceiling players with the technical ability to give them a decent rotational floor.
Urgent, active, and explosive, *Aeneas Peebles (Virginia Tech) had the 6th-most pressures amongst FBS DTs this season. His serious lack of length and size (6-0.5, 282 lbs.) limit him to certain schemes (like ours) and could ultimately relegate him to a subpackage rusher role, but he brings a ton of pass rush juice as a quick-winning gap-shooter. (3rd-4th)
With the build and size that more closely resembles a gigantic defensive end (6-5, 288 lbs.) and without the plus athletic traits to make up for it, Ty Robinson (Nebraska) likely will never become a premier pass rusher. But his power, bull rush, and ability to muck up the works should land him somewhere in an NFL rotation. (4th)
GAP SHOOTERS: While many of these guys lack the two-way ability or size to project as full-time starters, some could get there with time, while others could be valuable bench rushers.
A six-year player who is still quite raw, *Jared Harrison-Hunte (SMU) is a high-motor pass rusher with great feet (basketball background) and flashes of punching power and athleticism (4.86 forty)–even if they’re hindered a bit by inconsistency and technical weaknesses. His ability to develop as a base down player is TBD, but his pass rush talent (his 44 pressures were second-best in FBS among DTs) is likely to translate. (5th-6th)
There’s small and then there’s Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (Georgia) small, whose 6-5, 276-pound frame really sticks out (in a bad way) on the interior. But his long arms, high-end athleticism (4.86 forty, 36” vert), and active flashes scream developmental flier with inside-out potential. So much so that teams are split on whether he projects best as a tackle or on the edge. (5th)
While his lack of size (6-1, 285 lbs.) may limit him to a subrusher role, *Howard Cross III (Notre Dame) has great quickness, feet, and hand usage to cause chaos early in snaps. It’s later in snaps–particularly against the run–where he runs into problems. But the athleticism and work ethic seem like a worthy bet this late. (7th)
A former state champion wrestler, Kyonte Hamilton (Rutgers) has good strength, quickness, and leverage. Lots of other stuff to be worked out, but feels like a potential practice squad developmental add. (UDFA)
FLEX DEPTH: Guys who are known for their versatility along the DL
JJ Pegues (Ole Miss) is a bit of an oddball in that he isn’t as powerful as his 6-3, 309-pound frame might indicate, but he’s also a better mover than you’d expect. Pegues can play up-and-down the line, and–as a recruited tight end–can moonlight on offense. In 2024, he played some fullback, rushing for seven touchdowns and converting for a score or first down on 18 of his 21 carries. Just saying… (4th-5th)
Is he a three-tech? Is he a 3-4 end who shouldn’t even be in this write-up? Rylie Mills (Notre Dame) plays a bit upright and linear, but he has good quickness and power and a strong punch. He blew out his knee late in the CFP so his rehab table will be important. (4th-5th)
Lining up everywhere between the tackles, Warren Brinson (Georgia) doesn’t have great production nor consistent impact, and there are some concerns about anchor strength. But he’s typically stout against the run, and his flashes of explosive burst to collapse gaps are at least intriguing. (6th)
BLIND GUESS
Given the depth of the class and the desperation of our need, I’d say we draft at least two defensive tackles and as many as four(!). Including UDFAs, we should walk away with at least 3 to 5 rookies with a genuine shot of making it through camp (even if some wind up practice squad stashes).
While there are plenty of intriguing players through that cuspy 3rd-4th round area, the glut of talent in the second round is difficult to ignore—especially when you consider the possibility that guys like Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolen, or Derrick Harmon could potentially slide out of the first. Given that, 43 is a nice place to be, as it puts us in a good position to snag someone who’s slipping or take our pick of that next tier of tackles. Depending on how many guys we like, this feels like another potential trade-down scenario, or—if one of those first-rounders does fall—an opportunity to trade up a few spots to snag a higher-graded player. But I’d be surprised if we don’t draft a DT who we plan to start immediately by the top of the third round at the very latest.
Expect us to leave with at least one guy we think can be a two-way starter (with two likely the goal), then some mixing and matching of subpackage pass rushers and run-stopping plugger types.
Go Niners 🏈👍
Draft: 1st Round Preview
one of many large men in the running
With more glaring roster holes and draft picks than we’ve had in years, replenishing the coffers will require a delicate balancing act between value and need and how that butts up against our team-building philosophies. We know the Niners love and value defensive linemen, so—given our depth chart and the surplus of talent at the defensive tackle position—it would theoretically make sense to take a DT at pick 11. But unless Mason Graham falls, doing so would likely satisfy need and team-building philosophy but not value. The meat of this DT class lies in the second half of the first round through the second day.
Similarly, there’s a good chance that one or two highly-touted cornerbacks could be had at 11. That’s also a need, and the value of a high-level starter at a premium position could make quite a lot of sense. But that doesn’t neatly align with our team-building philosophy, which wants to build our defense from the trenches out while mitigating the investment on our secondary. Whether it’s luck, good planning or (most likely) some combination of both, this draft’s positions of strengths mostly align quite well with our positions of need. But obtaining proper value while adhering strictly—but not dogmatically—to our team-building philosophy will be easier said than done. Which is why it’s probably worth talking about a trade down sooner rather than later.
To be clear, I am NOT a “trade down all the time” analytically-inclined spreadsheet bro. If we’re at 11 and only have one guy left on our board with a first-round grade, we should trust our scouting department and draft that guy. The “spray and pray” approach is a fun theoretical exercise for math minds and dweeby Twitter analysts but a terrible way to build a winning team. You need to develop a team-building philosophy, hire the right people to execute it, and empower them to make the right decisions. If you never trust them to make the right call, I can guarantee they never will.
But this draft class lacks consensus up top and has quality depth throughout, including many strong players through its first two days. Don’t be surprised if guys listed in the 30’s and 40’s in prospect rankings start coming off the board in the 10’s and 20’s. Teams’ big boards are going to differ wildly, and that variance means there’s tremendous value potential in trading down.
I have no idea how many players the Niners have given first-round grades, but—if I were them–I’d start planting the idea through sources in the league and the media that our number is somewhere in the high teens (or higher). Whether our number is higher or lower than that is unimportant. We just want to send out the bat signal and let people know that–once we’re on the board at 11–give us a ring and let’s make a deal.
But if pick 11 comes along and our first-round graded players are gone, or–better yet–a high number of them remain, we should be moving down and accumulating value. From 11, a drop five spots is worth a high third-rounder. A ten-spot drop is worth another second, or–perhaps–a future first. The greater the variance in scouting opinions at the top of the draft, the more teams could be interested in moving up to secure their guys–even if their guys don’t overlap at all with ours. Those are the kinds of win-win trades that can drive demand and increase return. So let’s hope we’ve got a list of first-round-graded prospects that stretches well into the late teens (or further) and that we can make a move down to snag one while securing excess draft capital in the process.
THE CONTENDERS
I separated potential candidates at pick 11 into four tiers based on value and personal excitement. Everyone in these tiers feels like a fit and/or has been mocked to us at 11—thus warranting discussion. Everyone else who is expected to go outside the first round (as well as trade down exclusive candidates) will be included in position-specific breakdowns to come. I haven’t included everyone with first-round grades here, as some will be long gone by the time we pick (Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter), some just don’t make sense given our roster composition (Ashton Jeanty), and others could go in the first round but not feasibly as high as 11.
Tiers are in descending order. The number next to each prospect’s name denotes their “consensus” big board ranking at the time of writing and determines their order within each tier. The first two tiers are all guys whom I can confidently say have first-round grades. The third and fourth? Well… as you’ll see, that’s more of a grab bag.
SEND IT!!!
These guys would need to slip below current projections to get to us, but–if they’re available–feel like slam-dunk combinations of value, scheme, and need.
4. DT, Mason Graham - Michigan
6-3.5, 296 lbs.
A dominant interior presence and consensus top 5 player, Graham showed up to the combine 24 pounds lighter than his listed weight and measured in with shorter than average arms. Due to this, there’s been some talk of him slipping down draft boards. We can only dream. This is the sort of big braining shit that gets people fired when they start to overthink things. I don’t think Graham falls, but if he does, picking him is a no-brainer.
Graham is an unblockable force in the center of the defensive line, with a strong first step, a wrestler background that shows, and excellent strength while stacking and ragdolling defenders. He can shoot into the backfield or play the piano down the line of scrimmage in the run game. And while he may not have the pure size and length to give him that Jalen Carter/Quinnen Williams-style upside, I think people vastly overrate length along the interior for a certain type of prospect.
Scouts want to imagine DTs as these long-limbed 350-pounders who push away offensive linemen like a standing bench press before ripping into the backfield. But there’s an entirely different style of interior lineman–the explosive, burly, brick wall types–who have dominated for decades–the Warren Sapps and Aaron Donalds of the world, who win with leverage and quickness and blow past (or through) blockers en route to the quarterback. I’m not saying Graham will reach those heights, but this is a high-floor prospect whose ceiling is far less limited than some would lead you to believe.
Shades of: Those giant stone blocks with faces that fall down and crush Mario
6. OT, Armand Membou, Missouri
6-4, 332 lbs.
There are two types of late risers in the draft process: guys who shoot up the rankings because of their post-season measurements, testing numbers, and bowl game performances, and guys who rise simply because they were less heralded entering the season and it took a while for scouts to get to their film. Armand Membou is both.
Membou is my annual blue ball award winner of the year—a player whom I got wind of just slightly before the masses and got excited about the Niners getting… until he ascended to the point where he’ll almost certainly be off the board before we’re picking. I’m far from an OL expert, but I do understand physics, and the kind of athleticism, foot quickness, and movement skills Membou (right tackle, #79) shows at 332 pounds is not normal:
An excellent athlete who put up a stellar final season in Missouri’s zone-heavy offense, Membou started gathering love around the holidays as scouts got around to his tape. At the time a cuspy first-rounder, Membou vaulted into the top ten after measuring much better than expected and blowing up the combine with a testing performance typically reserved for the Trent Williams’ and Tristan Wirfs’ of the world. Given there are so few guys like them on this planet and even fewer who have multiple solid seasons of college tape to back up their athleticism, Membou will likely be the first OT off the board.
His tape shows a guy with abnormally quick feet and body control who is well-versed in the exact kinds of runs we emphasize in our offense and turned 21 less than a month ago. His height (6’4”) and arm length (33 ½”) are both on the smaller side for a tackle, but it’s not an issue you see on tape, and I do think it’s worth noting that both Rashawn Slater and Penei Sewell–two of the best tackles in football–have shorter arms than Membou. When you have this kind of athletic profile, minor length issues are often overstated. The fit, need, and upside are all slam-dunk matches with what we need, and–potentially–enough to actually make us spend a high pick on an offensive tackle. If he’s still there when we’re picking at 11.
Shades of: Tristan Wirfs / Rashawn Slater
Thumbs Up Emoji
Each of these guys has a solid first-round grade and–with one exception–high professional floors. If we pick any of them, it would be surprising if they weren’t at least a good starter sooner rather than later. But whether it’s due to positional value, team-building philosophy, or our current depth chart, picking any of them this high in the draft presents a potentially complicated value proposition.
5. TE, Tyler Warren, Penn State
6-5.5, 256 lbs.
I’m a big Tyler Warren fan, but #5 on the consensus big board seems a bit misleading. We’re less than a year from Brock Bowers–a generational tight end and the #1 receiving threat on a team that won multiple national championships–going 13th to the Raiders due to positional value. These rankings are meant to determine pure value, not positional, but five still feels high.
That said, I think he goes higher than Bowers did, and I think there’s a better than 50/50 chance he goes before we’re on the board. Even in a deep tight end class, Warren’s size (nearly as big as Gronk), versatility (he rushed for 218 yards and four scores this season…), and unreal production while operating as the only real receiving threat for a team that went deep into the CFP is sure to appeal to many teams. This is a guy who had a higher contested catch rate (61.9% -> 60%) and nearly as many yards per route run (2.78 -> 2.87) as Tet McMillan, a 6-5 jump ball merchant and perhaps the top wideout in this class. Combine that with the relative weakness of the receiver class, and Warren could easily climb into the top ten.
If there are questions about Warren’s game, they’d revolve around his burst and ability to beat man coverage (just because he didn’t face much this season). But the major question with Warren is less about his ability and more about need and positional value. I can’t imagine he does NOT have a first-round grade from our scouts. And if we take a tight end early, I will write a lengthy analysis of how sick it could be for us to reassert our offensive identity by spamming double tight stretch until we’ve buried a dozen alley defenders. But we have three dudes on the roster who can effectively play tight end. We just paid two of them. Would this be the best team-building strategy?
IMO, Warren is unique enough–and the idea of us piloting our run game out of legit 12 personnel intriguing enough–that I’d be onboard with the selection. Even if it means temporarily neglecting some sizable roster holes.
Shades of: The create-a-player Shanahan makes in Madden
6. CB, Will Johnson, Michigan
6-2, 194 lbs.
Big and fluid with great instincts and elite ball skills, Johnson was a five-star recruit and Freshman All-American in 2022 before launching to First Team-All American status as a sophomore and being named the defensive MVP of the National Championship game. He locked down Marvin Harrison Jr in The Game as a true freshman. He totaled nine picks–three returned for touchdowns–in only 32 career games. After his freshman season and his sophomore season, he was tabbed a shoe-in for a top 5 selection in 2025. But his junior year didn’t go as planned.
Johnson missed half the 2024 season dealing with a turf toe injury, then had a hammy flare-up that’s caused him to delay Pro Day testing until days before the draft. While he still put up impressive highlights, he wasn’t nearly as consistent in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, and there was a feeling that he might have been coasting until the draft. He’s a bit of a gambler, and questions have arisen about his catch-up speed, so his testing (which won’t happen until days before the draft) will be critical. Given the high number of missed games, durability is a concern as well. Of the seven prospects in this tier and the one above, Johnson is the most boom-or-bust.
That said… this is a 6’2” 194-pound corner with elite ball skills, whose potential weaknesses (catchup speed, burst) are minimized by our scheme–a scheme that also happens to highlight his greatest strengths (instincts, route recognition, playmaking). It’s hard to watch this tape and not come away thinking of his potential in our defense.
Johnson could quite easily be the best DB in this draft and–eventually–one of the better corners in the NFL. I don’t think we want to take a corner this high in the draft, but–depending on who’s available–Johnson’s overall talent level and scheme fit could be too hard to pass up.
Shades of: Pat Surtain II (with a dash of Derek Stingley’s phoned-in junior year)
10. TE, Colston Loveland, Michigan
6-6, 248 lbs.
Lost in the Tyler Warren hype is the fact that Loveland is right on his heels for the TE1 spot. Warren is savvier, bigger, a better in-line blocker, and more versatile, but Loveland is more explosive, more proven against man coverage, and as good—if not better—at acrobatic catches down the field. A lot of people forgot about him because his 2024 production was wrecked by poor quarterback play and an offense so devoid of other pass catchers that he received an unhealthy 39.6% target share, but this is the rare tight end who is a three-level winner against man coverage and has the size and strength to do it from an in-line position or split-out wide.
There are several big, athletic dudes with high receiving potential in this tight end class, but what separates Loveland from the cluster of guys below him with second-day grades is that he plays bigger and stronger than most of them, he’s already shown he can play with his hand in the ground, and he can win early as well as late against man and zone coverage. A lot of these long, athletic dudes with tantalizing downfield production have issues in the NFL because they can’t win early unless it's on stick routes and play-action dump-offs. They need clean runways and a high density of deep shots to utilize that athleticism, and—at tight end—those opportunities can be hard to manufacture with regularity. Either that or because they just can’t block in-line and actually play tight end (Kyle Pitts). But Loveland can win deep or intermediate or split out wide and shake a dude in space to open up on a slant route. His separation skills pop on tape, and that’s not a sentence you hear often about tight ends. He’s not the Swiss Army Knife Warren is, but he’s got very real Pro Bowl potential in his own right.
Shades of: Dallas Goedert / Sam LaPorta
11. OT/OG, Will Campbell, LSU
6-6, 319 lbs.
As a freshman at LSU, Will Campbell started every game at LT and was a freshman All-American. As a sophomore, he started every game at LT and was first team All-SEC. As a junior, he started every game at LT and was first team All-American. He was a two-year captain and the only offensive lineman in the history of the school to be named the team’s “top playmaker.” This isn’t New Mexico State; this is LSU. This is a team that always has playmakers. He’s also 6’6,” ran a sub 5.0 forty, and tested well in every athletic drill. So why isn’t he ranked higher?
Will Campbell could still be the first offensive lineman off the board, but if he’s not, it’s likely due to his arm length. At tackle, teams want linemen with–ideally–34” arms, with 33” considered the minimum. There are exceptions to this rule, but not many. Of the 67 offensive tackles who played at least 500 snaps this past season, only 9% of them had arm lengths shorter than 33 inches. Campbell’s are 32 ⅝. And while his tape is overall excellent, some of the issues he’s shown–like oversetting against wide alignments and struggles while moving laterally–could be partially attributed to his lack of length. It’s one thing for a measurable to be an outlier. It’s another when that outlier shows up on tape.
To be clear, Campbell will be a good pro–it’s just a matter of where. But while Membou and some other linemen in this class are considered cuspy tackle prospects, Campbell is soundly below most teams’ threshold for tackle length. I personally think you should still at least try him outside. I understand the concerns, but this guy’s athleticism and tape seem to point more towards a “positive outlier” path than the other way around. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if—five years from now—Campbell is excelling and everyone is like “why’d we talk about arm length for so long?” And if it doesn’t work out, your consolation prize is an excellent guard protecting a shorter quarterback. But–given our pickiness at selecting offensive linemen through the years–I can’t imagine we draft Campbell here unless we’re confident he can stick at tackle. It’s hard enough to get us to draft a tackle in the first round. At 11, I can’t imagine we’d want a guard.
Shades of: Honestly… one of those top-flight guards who converted from tackle like Zack Martin or Brandon Scherff.
15. DB, Jahdae Barron, Texas
5-11, 194 lbs.
Once again, defensive back probably isn’t where we wanna go at 11. But it helps when the DB in question can feasibly play all five positions in the secondary. Entering the season, Barron was thought to be “just a nickel,” but he posted career numbers as a fifth-year senior while amassing nearly 700 snaps at outside corner–breaking up 11 passes and picking off another five while allowing a 34.1 opposing QB rating and zero touchdowns. He’s also feisty in the run game.
Barron tested well, with his 4.39 forty and 35” vertical assuaging some concerns about his top-end speed and athleticism, but there are still questions as to how he holds up in man coverage, especially down the field. Luckily, we run as much zone as anyone, and zone is where his instincts, route recognition, and football IQ shine brightest.
We don’t yet know what sort of schematic adjustments Saleh has in store for our defense, but the selection of Barron–another versatile DB to pair with Lenoir and Green–could make for a level of DB interchangeability that we haven’t seen before.
Shades of: Brian Branch with outside corner ability
F*ck It, Why Not?
I’m really stomping on my upcoming defensive end write-up here, but all three guys in this tier are high-variance, upside-play edges. Since it’s a need that fits our team-building philosophy, they should be mentioned as guys who could feasibly hop up a tier on our big board. Are they all first-rounded graded players? Maybe not. But I’m confident all three will be picked somewhere in the first round.
8. DE, Jalon Walker, Georgia
6-1, 243 lbs.
There are two “Micah Parsons-looking” dudes in this draft. One plays for Penn State, wears Micah’s number, and will be gone in the first three picks of the draft. The other is Jalon Walker.
For our purposes, I’m not going to talk about Jalon Walker the linebacker, because if we’re picking him for our scheme at this draft position, he’s playing edge. For each of the past two years, Walker led Georgia in sacks despite playing a grand total of 400 snaps along the defensive line and never totaling more than 200 pass rush snaps in a single season. Naturally, that meant his pass rush efficiency was good, with a 17.2% pass rush win rate (PWR) that ranked just outside the top 50 in the country. He’s a great athlete with an elite first step and seems to have a natural understanding of how to set up blockers to leverage his quickness, but right now he wins mostly with tenacity and tremendous athleticism. Is he a tweener with subpar technique at both positions? Or will he take massive strides forward as a pass rusher when–for the first time ever–he gets to focus on one position?
Then, there’s the size problem. Walker plays hard and is physical, but–at 243 pounds–he’s going to have some problems when teams run at him. If we were a 3-4 defense? I wouldn’t care. His disruptive capabilities and the ability to put him on or off the line mitigate those concerns. But in our defense? After a season of getting gashed on the ground with a clear mandate to improve the run defense? Does Walker even hit our size threshold for a starting defensive end?
All of these questions are valid, and I don’t have the answer for any of them. Walker is a prospect with lots of tools, lots of potential, and a whole helluva lot of projection involved. This is as boom or bust as you get this high in the draft. So why is he even being listed here? Because, despite all those questions, Walker is still–on more boards than not–a top ten talent. If we ran a 3-4 defense, he’d be up there for me as well. The athleticism and the flashes are that good. And his leadership skills and work ethic—lauded throughout the Georgia program—give him a better shot to reach that potential than most. The upside is clear. If he hits and becomes an elite speed rusher opposite Bosa, it’ll blow the absolute roof off our defensive ceiling for the next decade.
Shades of: Diet Micah Parsons
15. DE, Mykel Williams, Georgia
6-5, 260 lbs.
Similar to Will Johnson, Mykel Williams was long presumed to be a top 10 draft pick, but a nagging ankle injury prevented him from taking steps forward as a pass rusher in 2024. Throw in a post-draft process in which he ran a 4.75 forty at his pro day, and he’s likely to be on the board when we’re picking. In Williams’ defense, his game is based less on his burst (which is just average) and more on his build, length, strength, and overall movement skills. He’s got heavy and active hands and plays the game violently, which shows itself regularly in the run game but is seen only in flashes while rushing the passer (4 sacks in two games vs. Texas this year).
His build and those flashes have made many scouts bullish on his trajectory as a pass rusher, but his 11.1% PWR and 26 total pressures hammer home the fact that Williams’ breakthrough–assuming it happens at all–could be further down the road than expected. Given the salary we’ve shed, it would be hard to say we’re in a hurry, and Williams could at least play as a base end until he takes steps forward as a pass rusher, but the spectre of Javon Kinlaw–another big brawler without plus quickness and burst–looms large. I’ll admit, I’m not as high on Williams as everyone else seems to be—maybe because I’ve only seen him play on his bum ankle. But enough people who know what they’re talking about are confident in his trajectory that I’ll put my trust in Kocurek if we end up drafting him.
Shades of: Ezekiel Ansah
16. DE, Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
6-5, 267 lbs.
If you’re looking for a different flavor of “traits-over-production flyer with developmental upside,” Stewart’s combination of size and athleticism (4.59 forty, 40” vert) is hard to come by. His ten-yard split is faster than Von Miller’s and three one-hundredths of a second slower than Nick Bosa’s. According to his RAS score, which aggregates all testing info and measurements and compares it to historical marks dating back to 1987, Stewart’s combination of size and athleticism is the 3rd-best on record for a defensive end.
He’s big, super long, plays with good power and burst, and was one of PFF’s top-graded run defenders last season. But as a pass rusher, he’s (you guessed it) a project. In each of his three years in college, he tallied exactly 1.5(!) sacks. 4.5 career sacks isn’t exactly bringing the boys to the yard, and I booted up his film expecting to be disappointed. Consider me surprised. Stewart’s far more disruptive than his stats on tape, and his positive underlying metrics and steady improvement are worth noting. Each season, his PFF grades have increased alongside his pressure totals, which went from 14 to 26 to a respectable 39 last season. It’s also worth noting that Stewart’s size means he can eventually play inside snaps on passing downs and be a key component of the twist games that made guys like Arden Key and Charles Omenihu so valuable in our rotation.
Stewart could be a notch further developed than people think, but—even if he is—he’ll take some time to develop. For all his flashes on tape, he got stonewalled by top pass blockers like Campbell and Membou, and his pressures fell off a cliff to end the season. But like Williams above him, his play against the run is pro-ready, giving him some runway to figure things out as a pass rusher.
Shades of: Danielle Hunter
Patience Is a Virtue
The last four guys on this list all share two things in common: (1) they’re linemen, and (2) there’s considerable debate on how many of them will go in the first round versus the second. Given that, there could be some opportunity cost lost in picking any of them at 11. Some I like more than others, but if we’re getting any of them, it would preferably be after a trade down. Or, better yet, in the second round. So why are they here? Because they’ve been mock drafted to us enough that I figure they’re all at least worth mentioning.
18. OT, Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
6-5, 315 lbs.
A three-year starter who steadily ascended from Freshman All-American to First-Team All-Big 12 to First-Team All-American, Banks is a good athlete with a lot of starting experience, whose film and counting stats (pressures allowed, pressure %) were impressive enough for him to win the Outland Trophy this season. On paper, his resume is just as strong as Will Campbell's. But while all the pieces are there, I don’t feel like Banks’ tape always matches the hype. He struggles too much in the second stage of blocks and winds up on the ground far too often because of it. While the athleticism is there, his foot speed and activity don’t always match it. And despite having the same arm length as Membou, Banks seems to lean out of his frame and get overextended in a way where he becomes susceptible to late rep losses and push-pull maneuvers.
To be fair, Membou is a better athlete, but he also seems to play more to his strengths and away from his weaknesses. He knows his length is a notch below ideal, so he keeps his feet moving and gets to his spots before defenders can take advantage of it. That doesn’t always seem to be the case with Banks, which is a bit worrisome given he’s started three straight years at left tackle. Perhaps the uptick in competition will get him to clean things up. Or perhaps this is just a flaw in his game. That said, if you told me we were getting Banks at guard, I would be thrilled. He brings a ton of power and physicality in the run game, is adept at blocking in space and climbing to the second level (despite sometimes slower feet), and many of the concerns he has outside are minimized if he is bumped down to guard. But that’s a steep price at 11.
Shades of: Peter Skoronski
22. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
6-4, 296 lbs.
A former No.1 overall high school recruit, Nolen is big and strong and has the explosive first step to cause havoc in our scheme. He’s a high-effort guy with good overall movement skills, great power, and the size and athletic profile to project to post-season accolades down the road. But there are inefficiencies in his game.
At the moment, Nolen wins early but not late. He relies too much on beating his blocker to the spot or powering through them, and when he doesn’t win quickly, he can get into issues with his pad level and disengagement skills. Granted, he wins quickly a lot, and he has some moves to help get him there (which bodes well for the future). But one of the hardest things to predict in d-line development is whether or not a player can–in the heat of a game–formulate and execute a pass rush plan when he doesn’t win right off the bat. It’s those secondary moves, and the fluidity and savvy to move smoothly through them, that will likely determine whether Nolen hits his considerable ceiling as a pro.
The fit makes a lot of sense, which is probably why Nolen gets mock drafted to us so often. But there’s plenty of debate on how far along he is, which is probably why—in those same mocks—Nolen is equally likely to go to us in the first or second round. 11 seems a bit early. 43 seems optimistic. But if the Niners like how he’s wired, he’s a nice blend of potential and need.
Shades of: Ed Oliver
25. OT, Josh Simmons, Ohio State
6-5, 317 lbs.
A loose and athletic tackle who took a big step forward this season, Simmons was on a potential path to OT1 status before a knee injury derailed his season. While he dominated in the early season, it was mostly in blowouts against lesser competition (although he did stonewall Mike Green of Marshall), so there’s some question over how he would have held up against the meat of the schedule. But those are theoreticals beyond Simmons’ control. He’s a bit more positional than powerful and could use added strength across his game, but he’s a really good athlete who moves well in the box or out in space and was rapidly ascending before his injury. I’m probably a shade higher on him than most, but–if the medicals check out–the fit and upside are nice. As is the potential value of a long-term tackle taken outside the top ten.
Shades of: Christian Darrisaw
27. DT, Derrick Harmon, Oregon
6-4.5, 313 lbs.
After the Niners sent a massive contingent to Oregon’s pro day and had dinner with HC Dan Lanning afterward, I would be SHOCKED if we don’t draft an Oregon Duck this year. The way Lynch talked about Lanning resembled the way we’ve talked about “insider” connections in the past—guys whose brains we’ve picked to get a clearer picture on prospects of interest. Herm Edwards vouching for Brandon Aiyuk’s athleticism comes to mind. The Notre Dame OL coach leading us to Mike McGlinchey and Aaron Banks is another example. And of the Ducks, Harmon is the highest touted.
Harmon’s pass rush figures are staggering. Per PFF, Mason Graham had 34 pressures and a 13.9% pass rush win rate (PWR). Walter Nolen had 35 pressures and a 10.9% PWR. Harmon tallied a whopping 55(!) pressures and a 17.9% PWR. That’s 11 more hurries than any other DT in FBS and tied for 12th-best in the country with first-round edge prospect James Pearce Jr. There wasn’t a more disruptive interior lineman in the country. Then he went to the combine and measured in at 6’4.5 and 313 pounds with long 34 ⅜” arms and ran a sub 5.0 forty. So why isn’t he a top 10 lock?
The questions mainly lie in his finishing ability. You’d prefer 55 pressures to result in more than 12 QB hits and 5 sacks. By comparison, potential No.1 overall Abdul Carter’s 66 pressures resulted in 23 QB hits and 13 sacks. It would be one thing if this felt like a statistical aberration, but Harmon’s lack of finish can be tied to some physical limitations. He’s high-cut, with a lot of his weight in the upper half, which makes his hips a bit stiff, and he sometimes gets reckless in his pass rush, giving up rush lanes. He’s also quick laterally but not supremely explosive off the line. So while his strength and slipperiness and hand usage will get him into NFL backfields, he feels destined to miss some sacks once he does. That points more to a guy who causes havoc (potentially quite a lot of it) as part of a swarming pass rush but may never be a consistent sack man.
To be clear, that’s not the worst thing in the world, and the fact that Harmon is strong anchoring against the run and can take on double teams gives him a level of two-way ability that many prospects lack–even if his personal sack numbers may not be stellar. We often tout how there are good missed tackles and bad missed tackles. If Harmon is a catalyst of the good kind–aggressively forcing quarterbacks and ballcarriers into help defenders who can clean things up–that’s still valuable. But I can’t tell if our scheme is a good fit or if he’d be best as a movable piece and pass rush enabler in a scheme that sends extra rushers from unexpected places.
Shades of: DaQuan Jones
TRADE THEORETICALS
Let’s operate under the very safe assumption that Cam Ward, Abdul Carter, and Travis Hunter all go in the top ten. That would give us a highly likely chance of at least one of the seven guys in our two highest tiers being available at 11. But unless someone from the top tier falls to us, we should think hard about trading down. While there are likely to be good players on the board at 11, the meat of this draft class feels clustered more towards the second day, and a trade down would likely net additional selections in the second or third round to take advantage of that.
So what could a trade down look like? It mostly comes down to who is still on the board once we’re on the clock and how much urgency we can stoke for our specific draft slot–urgency that comes from the needs of the teams right behind us, overall positional value, and the number of potential bidders on a specific player.
For instance, EDGE RUSHERS are always in high demand, and–at 11–we could feasibly gift someone Jalon Walker, Shemar Stewart, Mykel Williams, or Mike Green. Let’s say the Bengals, who are in a contract stand-off with Trey Hendrickson, want to move up for an edge. They could pitch a trade that looks like this:
Bengals receive: 11th pick
49ers receive: 17th pick, 81st pick (3rd round), and 153rd pick (5th round)
CORNERBACKS can also drive demand, especially ones with feasible CB1 chops. If Will Johnson falls to us, suitors are likely. If the Packers are looking for an aggressive move into the post-Jaire Alexander era, they could offer something like this:
Packers receive: 11th pick
49ers receive: 23rd, 54th (2nd round), and 2026 fourth-rounder
Falling QUARTERBACKS often lead to trades, so what if Shedeur Sanders gets to us at 11? The positional value is obvious: quarterbacks. But the rest of the equation is murky. The majority of teams in need of a QB would have already passed on Sanders in the top ten, meaning fewer suitors for his talents and less urgency for someone to move up to 11 when they could wait a few spots and give up less to obtain him later. But assuming there’s a bidding war involving future firsts (or at least, the thought of one), the Steelers could offer this:
Steelers receive: 11th pick
49ers receive: 21st pick, 52nd (3rd round), and a 2026 second-rounder
The Cowboys pick one slot after us, so if we’re looking at their roster holes as a means to drive demand for our pick, their need for a second wide receiver has existed for the better part of the last decade. Let’s say the Chargers want to give Herbert a TRUE NO.1 WR with Tet McMillan (or Harbaugh wants to reunite with TE Colston Loveland). They could offer something like this:
Chargers receive: 11th pick
49ers receive: 22nd pick, 55th (2nd round), and 199th (6th round)
But of all the potential trades, a move up for ASHTON JEANTY hits the most marks. Everyone in the league has him as a first-round pick, so demand is there. The Cowboys have a desperate and public need for a running back one spot behind us, boosting urgency for our specific draft slot. The Broncos need to add talent around Bo Nix and surely aren’t entering the season with Jaleel McLaughlin as their only running back. Sean Payton knows the value of a running back who is a threat on the ground and through the air. They could pitch something like this:
Broncos receive: 11th pick and potential Day 3 pick (late 4th or later)
49ers receive: 20th pick, 51st (2nd round)
Of course, this is all strictly academic, but it does point to the many trade-down options that could be on the table at 11 and the value we could gain by jumping down a few spots. In this class, an extra second could easily net a starting defensive tackle or cornerback. An extra third could get us a starting linebacker, a rotational end with future starter chops, or one of any number of high upside fliers. There are a few guys I’d be thrilled to get at 11 and many others who I’d be happy with, but if we really want to start a youth movement, trading down could end up our best option.
Next up, we’ll go position-by-position to look at guys we might pick in the later rounds of the draft.
Go Niners 🏈👍