With the San Francisco 49ers fighting to avoid playoff elimination in the final stretch of the regular season, it's also time to start considering mock drafts and the players experts believe could help the team bounce back from another potentially disappointing campaign.
ESPN insider Field Yates recently released his latest mock draft, projecting the 49ers to select 15th overall, which he states is based on the current NFL standings. Notably, Yates is not factoring in trades in this edition; meaning teams will draft according to the current standings.
Yates predicts the 49ers will bolster their defensive front with their top pick for the first time since 2022, selecting Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen, an underclassman.
"With the possibility of a massive extension for Brock Purdy this offseason, the 49ers could have some evolving team needs," Yates explained. "They have so many big deals on the books and can only keep so many players. That being said, San Francisco should beef up the interior of the defensive line and get younger there no matter what."
This projection aligns with recent reports about the 49ers restructuring the contract of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, lowering his base salary over the next two seasons. According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, the move may signal a possible split with Hargrave as soon as next year.
"This will allow the team to designate Hargraves as a post June 1 release, count for just $10.3 million on the cap during free agency and then have it drop to and have his cap number count for $8.6 million in 2025 if Hargraves is still hurt and defer $17.485 million to 2026," Fitzgerald speculated.
If the 49ers intend to part ways with Hargrave, drafting a top-tier defensive tackle like Nolen makes strategic sense. Yates praised Nolen's skill set, highlighting his ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
"Nolen is a disruptor with excellent interior pass-rushing traits, tallying 6.5 sacks this season," Yates noted. "He has very good strength, an explosive first step and powerful hands to disengage from blockers and chase down the quarterback."
Nolen has recorded 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, and 6.5 sacks this season. His 86.9 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus is a career-high, as are his 91.9 run defense and 71.8 pass-rush grades. The Texas A&M transfer has been a force in the middle for Ole Miss, amassing 30 pressures and 24 quarterback hurries.
Nolen could be a promising option to strengthen their defensive core heading into the 2025 season.