The NFL Scouting Combine always reshapes draft boards, and this year's defensive line and linebacker workouts created clear movement among prospects. Athletic testing, positional drills, and movement efficiency helped several defenders elevate their stock, while others left Indianapolis with new questions surrounding their projection.
For the San Francisco 49ers — a team built around speed and disruption along the front seven — these performances could directly influence draft evaluations heading into April.
Here are the biggest risers and fallers from the defensive tackle, edge rusher, and linebacker groups.
Defensive Tackles
Risers 📈
Zane Durant (Penn State)
Durant stood out with his explosiveness and lateral quickness during drills. Despite concerns about his size entering the Combine, his first-step burst, and movement skills reinforced his projection as an attacking interior defender suited for penetration-heavy schemes like San Francisco's wide-9 front.
Gracen Halton (Oklahoma)
Halton impressed with consistent movement and conditioning throughout positional drills. His agility and motor suggest immediate value as a rotational interior pass rusher.
Kaleb Proctor (Alabama)
Proctor tested better than expected for his size, showing improved balance and mobility. His performance helped ease concerns about stiffness and highlighted developmental upside along the interior defensive line.
Faller 📉
Lee Hunter (UCF)
Hunter's workout lacked standout athletic traits compared to his peers. Average testing numbers and limited flexibility during drills raised questions about his pass-rush ceiling at the next level.
EDGE Rushers
Risers 📈
David Bailey (Stanford)
Bailey showcased fluid movement and bend during edge drills, displaying acceleration around the arc that boosted his projection as a developmental pass rusher.
Malachi Lawrence (UCF)
Lawrence helped himself with a strong all-around workout, flashing power, balance, and controlled explosiveness. His positional drills highlighted functional strength and closing speed that translate well to early-down edge responsibilities.
Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State)
Dennis-Sutton delivered one of the most complete edge performances, combining size, burst, and flexibility. His ability to flatten at the top of the rush drew attention from teams seeking high-upside pass rushers.
Faller 📉
Reuben Bain Jr. (Miami)
Bain entered Indianapolis with significant buzz but posted testing numbers that failed to separate him athletically from the group. Scouts may now view him more as a power-based rotational edge defender.
Linebackers
Risers 📈
Sonny Styles (Ohio State)
Styles demonstrated elite athletic traits, moving fluidly in coverage drills and showing sideline-to-sideline range. His performance reinforced his projection as a modern three-down linebacker.
Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)
Rodriguez impressed evaluators with smooth transitions and strong instincts during positional work, improving his standing as a scheme-versatile linebacker.
Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh)
Louis delivered a fundamentally sound workout, showing balance and discipline throughout drills. His consistency boosted confidence in his readiness as a reliable defensive contributor.
Faller 📉
Taurean York (Texas A&M)
York's testing raised concerns about top-end athleticism, particularly in coverage movement. While instinctive, his Combine performance may limit his projection to early-down roles.
What It Means for San Francisco
The 49ers consistently prioritize athleticism and versatility along the defensive front seven. Prospects who demonstrated burst, range, and movement efficiency in Indianapolis — particularly Zane Durant, Sonny Styles, and Dani Dennis-Sutton — align closely with the physical traits San Francisco values.
As Pro Days approach, these Combine performances will continue shaping how teams, including the 49ers, stack their defensive boards.
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