NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco has released his latest mock draft, projecting all 32 first-round picks. With the San Francisco 49ers holding the 11th overall selection, Maiocco has the team addressing a key roster need by selecting Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
The 49ers are slated to host Nolen on a pre-draft visit to Santa Clara as part of their final prospect evaluations. Maiocco views the potential pairing as a natural fit—both in terms of need and draft value—assuming Nolen is still on the board at No. 11. That need became more pressing after the departures of veteran defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins.
"Now, both are gone and San Francisco has some holes to fill along their defensive line," Maiocco wrote. "Nolen (6-foot-4, 296 pounds) is an explosive defensive tackle who is at his best getting up the field and into the offensive backfield. He had 6.5 sacks last season and 14 tackles for loss."
According to Sports Reference, Nolen also tallied a career-best 48 tackles in 2024. Over three collegiate seasons—two at Texas A&M and one at Ole Miss—he accumulated 11.5 sacks.
"There might be a boom-or-bust element initially, as Nolen can make big plays," Maiocco added. "But he will have to be coached up to avoid getting out of his gap and allowing yards on inside runs."
Nolen proved to be a highly effective run defender last season. He earned a career-high 91.6 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus (up from 73.1 in 2023), which ranked second among all FBS defensive linemen—trailing only Michigan's Mason Graham (92.6), whom Maiocco projects to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 5.
"The 49ers must add multiple defensive linemen in this draft," Maiocco concluded, "and the safe play is to check that box once they go on the clock for the first time."
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