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There's a glaring need at defensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers entering this year's NFL draft.
Whether they select a DT in Round 1 will depend on how the board shakes out before they pick 11th overall. It's not out of the realm of possibilities they leave this year's draft with multiple defensive tackles. They'll enter the draft without a clear cut starting DT on their roster.
We ran through a handful of seven-round mock drafts to find a DT San Francisco could identify in each round:
There are a bunch of DTs the 49ers could go with in Round 1, but it's easy to see why they would quickly fall in love with Harmon. He measured in at the combine over 6-4 at 313 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arms. Harmon is a terrific athlete for his size who can play multiple spots on the defensive line. San Francisco would be able to take Harmon and feel good about playing him on all three downs right away.
A player like Collins would be a really nice get for San Francisco on Day 2 regardless of what happens in the first round. He's 6-6, 332 pounds with enough athleticism to be intriguing despite not posting elite production in college. If the 49ers are looking for an impact player, Collins may not be it. If they're looking for a quality rotational piece with a high floor, they could do worse in the second round.
The 49ers are hosting Norman-Lott on a pre-draft visit. Unlike Harmon and Collins, he's undersized at 6-2, 291 pounds. However, he has really good length and a good enough first step to spend a lot of time in opponents backfields. Pass rushing upside is a plus that the 49ers should be keeping an eye out for on Days 2 and 3.
Walker is a little underwhelming to watch and his college production won't blow anyone away. He's an absolute hoss at 6-7, 331 pounds, though. And that's good enough for us on Day 3 if the 49ers are willing to risk a low floor for high-ceiling traits.
Speaking of high-upside traits, Broughton is another player San Francisco could bet on later on Day 3. He's 6-5, 311 pounds and has 35-inch arms. Overall he isn't a great prospect athletically, but he's quick off the ball − a trait 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek loves.
Peebles is a really fun player. He spent four years at Duke before transferring to Virginia Tech last season. Over his final two years of college he hung up 70 pressures and nine sacks while racking up 40 run stops and missing only seven tackles. Peebles' energy jumps off the screen and it's easy to see how he could quickly become a productive player in the NFL.
Griffith may not get drafted, but he's a favorite of ours so we're including him here. He spent three years at Harvard before transferring to Louisville for his fourth and final year of college. Griffith dominated at Harvard and posted 86 pressures and 18 sacks during his tenure there. At Louisville he posted career lows in pressures (17) and sacks (3), but he was hit with only one missed tackle and still managed 16 run stops per Pro Football Focus. Griffith can play and a team getting him late on Day 3 may be getting a steal.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 1 defensive tackle in every round for 49ers
Continue reading...
Whether they select a DT in Round 1 will depend on how the board shakes out before they pick 11th overall. It's not out of the realm of possibilities they leave this year's draft with multiple defensive tackles. They'll enter the draft without a clear cut starting DT on their roster.
We ran through a handful of seven-round mock drafts to find a DT San Francisco could identify in each round:
Round 1: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
There are a bunch of DTs the 49ers could go with in Round 1, but it's easy to see why they would quickly fall in love with Harmon. He measured in at the combine over 6-4 at 313 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arms. Harmon is a terrific athlete for his size who can play multiple spots on the defensive line. San Francisco would be able to take Harmon and feel good about playing him on all three downs right away.
Round 2: Texas DT Alfred Collins
A player like Collins would be a really nice get for San Francisco on Day 2 regardless of what happens in the first round. He's 6-6, 332 pounds with enough athleticism to be intriguing despite not posting elite production in college. If the 49ers are looking for an impact player, Collins may not be it. If they're looking for a quality rotational piece with a high floor, they could do worse in the second round.
Round 3: Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott
The 49ers are hosting Norman-Lott on a pre-draft visit. Unlike Harmon and Collins, he's undersized at 6-2, 291 pounds. However, he has really good length and a good enough first step to spend a lot of time in opponents backfields. Pass rushing upside is a plus that the 49ers should be keeping an eye out for on Days 2 and 3.
Round 4: Kentucky DT Deone Walker
Walker is a little underwhelming to watch and his college production won't blow anyone away. He's an absolute hoss at 6-7, 331 pounds, though. And that's good enough for us on Day 3 if the 49ers are willing to risk a low floor for high-ceiling traits.
Round 5: Texas DT Vernon Broughton
Speaking of high-upside traits, Broughton is another player San Francisco could bet on later on Day 3. He's 6-5, 311 pounds and has 35-inch arms. Overall he isn't a great prospect athletically, but he's quick off the ball − a trait 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek loves.
Round 6: Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles
Peebles is a really fun player. He spent four years at Duke before transferring to Virginia Tech last season. Over his final two years of college he hung up 70 pressures and nine sacks while racking up 40 run stops and missing only seven tackles. Peebles' energy jumps off the screen and it's easy to see how he could quickly become a productive player in the NFL.
Round 7: Louisville DT Thor Griffith
Griffith may not get drafted, but he's a favorite of ours so we're including him here. He spent three years at Harvard before transferring to Louisville for his fourth and final year of college. Griffith dominated at Harvard and posted 86 pressures and 18 sacks during his tenure there. At Louisville he posted career lows in pressures (17) and sacks (3), but he was hit with only one missed tackle and still managed 16 run stops per Pro Football Focus. Griffith can play and a team getting him late on Day 3 may be getting a steal.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 1 defensive tackle in every round for 49ers
Continue reading...
