With the 2025 Senior Bowl in the rearview mirror, Justin Melo of The Draft Network unveiled his latest mock draft, projecting all 32 first-round picks. For the San Francisco 49ers, Melo envisions general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan addressing an underwhelming pass rush from last season.
The 49ers' 6-11 record earned them the 11th overall pick, and Melo has the team selecting Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker.
"The aging Leonard Floyd will be entering a contract year and the Drake Jackson pick hasn't planned out," Melo explained. "Jalon Walker is a versatile front-seven defender who would fit well into Robert Saleh's scheme. Walker's first-step quickness gives him a high ceiling as a pass rusher."
Walker capped off the 2024 season with a career-high 60 tackles and 6.5 sacks, bringing his total to 11.5 sacks over the past two seasons. His 83.8 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus and 34 pressures led the Bulldogs defense among players with over 10 pass-rush snaps.
Walker also earned the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top linebacker.
The 49ers' defense registered just 37 sacks in 2024, tied for 23rd in the NFL. Their 68.1 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus ranked 18th, highlighting a clear need for improvement. Adding a high-upside pass rusher like Walker could help turn things around.
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