Potential 49ers draft target shines as one of the Combine’s biggest risers

Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou put his athleticism on full display at the NFL Scouting Combine, looking like the type of prospect the San Francisco 49ers could covet.

Longtime ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his list of the biggest risers from the Combine, and he believes Membou's standout performance in Indianapolis has tightened the race for the top offensive tackle in this draft class. Kiper also highlighted concerns about LSU's Will Campbell due to arm length and Ohio State's Josh Simmons, who is recovering from a knee injury, which could boost Membou's stock.

Several mock drafts have linked Membou and Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. to the 49ers at No. 11 overall. If San Francisco hopes to land Membou, they'll need to hope his standout Combine performance doesn't push him out of reach.

"[Membou] showed his quickness Sunday with a 4.91-second 40 time," Kiper wrote. "He showed his power with a 9-foot, 7-inch broad jump (tops among offensive linemen) and a 34-inch vertical (fourth). And we already know he has the experience that teams like to see, with 30 career starts."

A two-year starter at Missouri, Membou earned an impressive 90.4 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, ranking fifth nationally among collegiate offensive linemen. His run-blocking (87.5) and pass-blocking (85.5) grades were also strong.

Over 411 pass-blocking snaps in 2024, Membou allowed just nine pressures and didn't surrender a single sack.

According to NFL Research, Membou's 4.91-second 40-yard dash was the fastest by any offensive lineman measuring at least 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds since 2003. Additionally, he became one of only four offensive linemen ever to post a 30-inch vertical and run a sub-5.00 40 at 315 pounds or heavier. One of the others was current 49ers left tackle Trent Williams, who ran a 4.88-second 40 and recorded a 34.5-inch vertical at the 2010 Combine.

"His 33½-inch arms mean he can stick at tackle in the pros," Kiper added. "Though I projected him at No. 13 to the Dolphins in my mock last week, his combine showing means he will be getting top-10 buzz."