Briana McDonald
With the NFL Scouting Combine set to begin next week, teams around the league are sharpening their draft strategies, and for the San Francisco 49ers, the focus could be on strengthening the trenches. In NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah's annual pre-Combine conference call, he highlighted how the 49ers position at No. 11 overall puts them in a strong spot to land an impact player, particularly on the offensive or defensive line.
"Where they (the 49ers) are picking at 11, they're going to be able to get a really good player," Jeremiah said.
The Combine plays a crucial role in shaping draft boards, and with workout performances set to shake up projections, the 49ers have a chance of top-tier talent falling to them at No. 11 in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Michigan's Mason Graham a "Dream Scenario" Pick
One name to watch for in next week's Combine is Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Ranked No. 4 overall onJeremiahs draft board, Graham has been one of the most dominant interior defenders in college football. However, Jeremiah believes there is a chance that Graham could slip out of the top 10, making him available when the 49ers are on the clock.
"We talked about him as one of the top players in the draft with Mason Graham. I'll be curious to see how he goes through the spring. As I mentioned, I think his tape is so good, but I'm not sure he's going to totally ace the spring part of it.
"If you are looking for someone who I think would be a home run pick for them (San Francisco), what's the dream scenario, to me it would be Mason Graham were to fall down to them where they could scoop him up."
Other Defensive Line Options
Beyond Graham, Jeremiah mentioned other potential targets for the 49ers, including Georgia defensive linemen Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams, and Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Walker and Williams could be off the board by the time San Francisco picks, but Nolen presents an option, possibly in a trade-down scenario.
"The player who is a great scheme fit for them, which I think would be more of a trade back than necessarily taking him right there at 11, would be Walter Nolan. With their jet front and they like to play up the field with (defensive line coach) Kris Kocurek. They want to really get off the ball and penetrate and go, and he is really, really twitched up.
"Walter Nolan to me would be someone maybe if you slid down a little bit, just to get more value that would be a defensive tackle that I think would be a fun fit for that group."
Live coverage of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine will begin on Feb. 27 on NFL Network andNFL+.
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