2025 Draft Class: IDL

Originally posted by Heroism:
This is why run grades and all that stuff should be taken with a grain of salt. You got to factor in scheme for everyone. Heyward and Turner play in a 5-man front. Totally different than what our guys do here.

True true, I was just looking at Buckner and was a top 10 run defender this yr in that Bradley scheme.

Originally posted by NYniner85:
True true, I was just looking at Buckner and was a top 10 run defender this yr in that Bradley scheme.

Im hoping that the new defensive staff will get back to being a little more creative and dynamic with the fronts and not being so static. Saleh started making little adjustments to the front before he left like getting into a 5-man front with the SAM on the LOS and reducing the wide splits by going into bear and tite fronts when they were getting pounded by the run. I don't think the answer to the run defense is just drafting a bunch of fat dudes, either.

I still think Nolan makes a lot of sense for the Niners. Ultimately, this is still a 1-gap attacking front, and from the little that I've seen, Nolan seems to be the player that best fits that role. They just need to have a plan in place if the run defense is still an issue.

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by Hoovtrain:
Isn't he roughly the size of Jalen Carter ? I don't know enough about him to say if he can hold up or not, but they can always grab that big plugger in round 4 or maybe bring jones back in FA FA
guess his size vs Carter size its irrelevant though as it pertains to the W9

Jalen Carter was 314 at the combine; Walter Nolen was 293 at the Senior Bowl. That's a big difference.

I know you're gonna hate this (PFF) analytics have Carter graded out awful vs the run. One of the best interior pass rushers in the league though.

Cameron Heyward is like 6-5 295 and one of the best run defenders in the league (still). Kobbie Turner also graded out top 10 and he's 6-2 288.

im with ya get more beef, I also think SF needs to get multiple IDL

I agree. Heyward is a great example and we all know the impact Aaron Donald had as a smaller guy. However Hero's point is also valid and we definitely need to double dip in this class at minimum with one of the fatties.

I also wouldn't hate moving down and double dipping into the Oregon group of guys...hell get all 3 of them!

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
True true, I was just looking at Buckner and was a top 10 run defender this yr in that Bradley scheme.

Im hoping that the new defensive staff will get back to being a little more creative and dynamic with the fronts and not being so static. Saleh started making little adjustments to the front before he left like getting into a 5-man front with the SAM on the LOS and reducing the wide splits by going into bear and tite fronts when they were getting pounded by the run. I don't think the answer to the run defense is just drafting a bunch of fat dudes, either.

I still think Nolan makes a lot of sense for the Niners. Ultimately, this is still a 1-gap attacking front, and from the little that I've seen, Nolan seems to be the player that best fits that role. They just need to have a plan in place if the run defense is still an issue.

Omarr Norman-Lott is the 1-gap penetrating DT, at a discount. I'm not using 11 on Nolan. Give me someone that can drop a knee vs doubles, extend and shed vs singles.

Originally posted by adrianlesnar:

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by NYniner85:
True true, I was just looking at Buckner and was a top 10 run defender this yr in that Bradley scheme.

Im hoping that the new defensive staff will get back to being a little more creative and dynamic with the fronts and not being so static. Saleh started making little adjustments to the front before he left like getting into a 5-man front with the SAM on the LOS and reducing the wide splits by going into bear and tite fronts when they were getting pounded by the run. I don't think the answer to the run defense is just drafting a bunch of fat dudes, either.

I still think Nolan makes a lot of sense for the Niners. Ultimately, this is still a 1-gap attacking front, and from the little that I've seen, Nolan seems to be the player that best fits that role. They just need to have a plan in place if the run defense is still an issue.

Omarr Norman-Lott is the 1-gap penetrating DT, at a discount. I'm not using 11 on Nolan. Give me someone that can drop a knee vs doubles, extend and shed vs singles.

I've seen a couple Maliek Collins comps for him

I want Kenneth Grant in the 1st after a trade down to 15-18. Watched his highlights the other day and the dude is a monster inside.

Rather have him than Nolen personally.

Ideal 1st round for me is trade back to 15-20 and get Grant then use the picks from the trade down to trade up into late first for Jihaad Campbell. If we don't get Grant have to get Caldwell in the 4th round.

Originally posted by Heroism:
Which is exactly why they need to adjust their approach. These tiny IDL can't hold up against an onslaught of double teams. There's a reason all of these tiny IDL end up banged up throughout the season--they're not built to withstand the punishment of the wide 9. Inside zone and duo are the two primary runs teams use to attack the wide 9, which means the nose and 3 tech are going to face an avalanche of double teams. Hargrave experienced the physical effects of the wide 9 when he got here. He was running on fumes late in the year and playoffs in 2023 because he was gassed from taking on double teams. With teams pivoting back to running the ball, the 49ers really need to beef up their interior line, especially if they're serious about matching up with the Lions and Eagles.

btw I don't know where you're getting your numbers. DJ Jones was 320 pounds and the only one on that list that could consistently hold up against double teams. Givens is 285 pounds; Solomon Thomas 300? LOL.

I'm tired of the small linemen that attack one gap yet get blown up in the run game.

Our whole scheme is to stop the pass yet we don't have the personnel to stop the run.

We can still get some big bodies that have agility and can move.

*Assuming we lose Greenlaw in free agency and Mason Graham goes before us:

1.11- Kenneth Grant, DT- Michigan
2.43- Demetrius Knight, LB- South Carolina
3.74- Jared Ivey, DE- Ole Miss
3.99- Jamaree Caldwell, NT- Oregon
4.112- Jordan Hancock, CB- Ohio State
4.138- Billy Bowman Jr., S- Oklahoma
4.139- Jackson Hawes, TE- Georgia Tech

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Which is exactly why they need to adjust their approach. These tiny IDL can't hold up against an onslaught of double teams. There's a reason all of these tiny IDL end up banged up throughout the season--they're not built to withstand the punishment of the wide 9. Inside zone and duo are the two primary runs teams use to attack the wide 9, which means the nose and 3 tech are going to face an avalanche of double teams. Hargrave experienced the physical effects of the wide 9 when he got here. He was running on fumes late in the year and playoffs in 2023 because he was gassed from taking on double teams. With teams pivoting back to running the ball, the 49ers really need to beef up their interior line, especially if they're serious about matching up with the Lions and Eagles.

btw I don't know where you're getting your numbers. DJ Jones was 320 pounds and the only one on that list that could consistently hold up against double teams. Givens is 285 pounds; Solomon Thomas 300? LOL.

I'm tired of the small linemen that attack one gap yet get blown up in the run game.

Our whole scheme is to stop the pass yet we don't have the personnel to stop the run.

We can still get some big bodies that have agility and can move.

*Assuming we lose Greenlaw in free agency and Mason Graham goes before us:

1.11- Kenneth Grant, DT- Michigan
2.43- Demetrius Knight, LB- South Carolina
3.74- Jared Ivey, DE- Ole Miss
3.99- Jamaree Caldwell, NT- Oregon
4.112- Jordan Hancock, CB- Ohio State
4.138- Billy Bowman Jr., S- Oklahoma
4.139- Jackson Hawes, TE- Georgia Tech

I like a number of the picks. No OL in the draft?

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Which is exactly why they need to adjust their approach. These tiny IDL can't hold up against an onslaught of double teams. There's a reason all of these tiny IDL end up banged up throughout the season--they're not built to withstand the punishment of the wide 9. Inside zone and duo are the two primary runs teams use to attack the wide 9, which means the nose and 3 tech are going to face an avalanche of double teams. Hargrave experienced the physical effects of the wide 9 when he got here. He was running on fumes late in the year and playoffs in 2023 because he was gassed from taking on double teams. With teams pivoting back to running the ball, the 49ers really need to beef up their interior line, especially if they're serious about matching up with the Lions and Eagles.

btw I don't know where you're getting your numbers. DJ Jones was 320 pounds and the only one on that list that could consistently hold up against double teams. Givens is 285 pounds; Solomon Thomas 300? LOL.

I'm tired of the small linemen that attack one gap yet get blown up in the run game.

Our whole scheme is to stop the pass yet we don't have the personnel to stop the run.

We can still get some big bodies that have agility and can move.

*Assuming we lose Greenlaw in free agency and Mason Graham goes before us:

1.11- Kenneth Grant, DT- Michigan
2.43- Demetrius Knight, LB- South Carolina
3.74- Jared Ivey, DE- Ole Miss
3.99- Jamaree Caldwell, NT- Oregon
4.112- Jordan Hancock, CB- Ohio State
4.138- Billy Bowman Jr., S- Oklahoma
4.139- Jackson Hawes, TE- Georgia Tech

We can get Grant at 16 in a trade down. Like your picks overall though

Knight can be had in the 4th round. If going to go Knight that high why not just trade up to #25-30 and grab Jihaad Campbell the best LB in the draft? I like Knight a lot but Campbell is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Knight and going to be a star.

Pre-combine...

1 16- Kenneth Grant DL (picked up extra 3rd and 4th rounder their #81 and #118 + a 2026 3rd)
1 28- Jihaad Campbell LB (trade up from #43 for 2026 2nd rounder and pick #112)

Still would have:
3 75- Trade down 15-20 spots to gain another 4th at around #118 to replace #112 gave up in 1st round trade up)
3 81- Anthony Belton OT (future LT once Trent retires)
3 90- Jason Arroyo TE
3 99- Jamaree Caldwell NT
4 118- Jordan Hancock / Cobee Bryant / Jabaar Mohammed CB
4 125- Billy Bowman / Malachi Starks S (from trade down from 75)
4 138- CJ West DL (penetrating DL - DJ Jones clone but better - we met with him at Shrine or Senior Bowl)
4 139- Sa'vion Jones EDGE (think Shemar Stewart lite 6'5 290 can rush the passer on early downs and slip inside on 3rd downs)
5 189- Jah Joyner EDGE (we met with him at Shrine or Senior Bowl)
6 228- Patrick Jenkins DL (penetrating DL)

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Which is exactly why they need to adjust their approach. These tiny IDL can't hold up against an onslaught of double teams. There's a reason all of these tiny IDL end up banged up throughout the season--they're not built to withstand the punishment of the wide 9. Inside zone and duo are the two primary runs teams use to attack the wide 9, which means the nose and 3 tech are going to face an avalanche of double teams. Hargrave experienced the physical effects of the wide 9 when he got here. He was running on fumes late in the year and playoffs in 2023 because he was gassed from taking on double teams. With teams pivoting back to running the ball, the 49ers really need to beef up their interior line, especially if they're serious about matching up with the Lions and Eagles.

btw I don't know where you're getting your numbers. DJ Jones was 320 pounds and the only one on that list that could consistently hold up against double teams. Givens is 285 pounds; Solomon Thomas 300? LOL.

I'm tired of the small linemen that attack one gap yet get blown up in the run game.

Our whole scheme is to stop the pass yet we don't have the personnel to stop the run.

We can still get some big bodies that have agility and can move.

*Assuming we lose Greenlaw in free agency and Mason Graham goes before us:

1.11- Kenneth Grant, DT- Michigan
2.43- Demetrius Knight, LB- South Carolina
3.74- Jared Ivey, DE- Ole Miss
3.99- Jamaree Caldwell, NT- Oregon
4.112- Jordan Hancock, CB- Ohio State
4.138- Billy Bowman Jr., S- Oklahoma
4.139- Jackson Hawes, TE- Georgia Tech

We can get Grant at 16 in a trade down. Like your picks overall though

Knight can be had in the 4th round. If going to go Knight that high why not just trade up to #25-30 and grab Jihaad Campbell the best LB in the draft? I like Knight a lot but Campbell is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Knight and going to be a star.

Pre-combine...

1 16- Kenneth Grant DL (picked up extra 3rd and 4th rounder their #81 and #118 + a 2026 3rd)
1 28- Jihaad Campbell LB (trade up from #43 for 2026 2nd rounder and pick #112)

Still would have:
3 75- Trade down 15-20 spots to gain another 4th at around #118 to replace #112 gave up in 1st round trade up)
3 81- Anthony Belton OT (future LT once Trent retires)
3 90- Jason Arroyo TE
3 99- Jamaree Caldwell NT
4 118- Jordan Hancock / Cobee Bryant / Jabaar Mohammed CB
4 125- Billy Bowman / Malachi Starks S (from trade down from 75)
4 138- CJ West DL (penetrating DL - DJ Jones clone but better - we met with him at Shrine or Senior Bowl)
4 139- Sa'vion Jones EDGE (think Shemar Stewart lite 6'5 290 can rush the passer on early downs and slip inside on 3rd downs)
5 189- Jah Joyner EDGE (we met with him at Shrine or Senior Bowl)
6 228- Patrick Jenkins DL (penetrating DL)

I don't project trades. Who knows if someone wants to move up

Knight is a monster man. And I stay away from Alabama linebackers

Originally posted by Fasteddy:

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Which is exactly why they need to adjust their approach. These tiny IDL can't hold up against an onslaught of double teams. There's a reason all of these tiny IDL end up banged up throughout the season--they're not built to withstand the punishment of the wide 9. Inside zone and duo are the two primary runs teams use to attack the wide 9, which means the nose and 3 tech are going to face an avalanche of double teams. Hargrave experienced the physical effects of the wide 9 when he got here. He was running on fumes late in the year and playoffs in 2023 because he was gassed from taking on double teams. With teams pivoting back to running the ball, the 49ers really need to beef up their interior line, especially if they're serious about matching up with the Lions and Eagles.

btw I don't know where you're getting your numbers. DJ Jones was 320 pounds and the only one on that list that could consistently hold up against double teams. Givens is 285 pounds; Solomon Thomas 300? LOL.

I'm tired of the small linemen that attack one gap yet get blown up in the run game.

Our whole scheme is to stop the pass yet we don't have the personnel to stop the run.

We can still get some big bodies that have agility and can move.

*Assuming we lose Greenlaw in free agency and Mason Graham goes before us:

1.11- Kenneth Grant, DT- Michigan
2.43- Demetrius Knight, LB- South Carolina
3.74- Jared Ivey, DE- Ole Miss
3.99- Jamaree Caldwell, NT- Oregon
4.112- Jordan Hancock, CB- Ohio State
4.138- Billy Bowman Jr., S- Oklahoma
4.139- Jackson Hawes, TE- Georgia Tech

I like a number of the picks. No OL in the draft?

I don't know. I think we sign a center (Drew Dalman or Ryan Kelly) and a veteran guard.

Shanahan will not start a rookie lineman unless he absolute has to.

LT- Trent Williams
LG- Ben Bartch / Spencer Burford / Nick Zakelj
C- Veteran signing / Matt Hennessy / Drake Nugent
RG- Dominick Puni
RT- Colton McKivitz / Austen Pleasants

I can't see a rookie other than a top pick beating out any of these guys and do we spend a top pick on a backup lineman when we have to revamp our D?

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Which is exactly why they need to adjust their approach. These tiny IDL can't hold up against an onslaught of double teams. There's a reason all of these tiny IDL end up banged up throughout the season--they're not built to withstand the punishment of the wide 9. Inside zone and duo are the two primary runs teams use to attack the wide 9, which means the nose and 3 tech are going to face an avalanche of double teams. Hargrave experienced the physical effects of the wide 9 when he got here. He was running on fumes late in the year and playoffs in 2023 because he was gassed from taking on double teams. With teams pivoting back to running the ball, the 49ers really need to beef up their interior line, especially if they're serious about matching up with the Lions and Eagles.

btw I don't know where you're getting your numbers. DJ Jones was 320 pounds and the only one on that list that could consistently hold up against double teams. Givens is 285 pounds; Solomon Thomas 300? LOL.

I'm tired of the small linemen that attack one gap yet get blown up in the run game.

Our whole scheme is to stop the pass yet we don't have the personnel to stop the run.

We can still get some big bodies that have agility and can move.

*Assuming we lose Greenlaw in free agency and Mason Graham goes before us:

1.11- Kenneth Grant, DT- Michigan
2.43- Demetrius Knight, LB- South Carolina
3.74- Jared Ivey, DE- Ole Miss
3.99- Jamaree Caldwell, NT- Oregon
4.112- Jordan Hancock, CB- Ohio State
4.138- Billy Bowman Jr., S- Oklahoma
4.139- Jackson Hawes, TE- Georgia Tech

We can get Grant at 16 in a trade down. Like your picks overall though

Knight can be had in the 4th round. If going to go Knight that high why not just trade up to #25-30 and grab Jihaad Campbell the best LB in the draft? I like Knight a lot but Campbell is >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Knight and going to be a star.

Pre-combine...

1 16- Kenneth Grant DL (picked up extra 3rd and 4th rounder their #81 and #118 + a 2026 3rd)
1 28- Jihaad Campbell LB (trade up from #43 for 2026 2nd rounder and pick #112)

Still would have:
3 75- Trade down 15-20 spots to gain another 4th at around #118 to replace #112 gave up in 1st round trade up)
3 81- Anthony Belton OT (future LT once Trent retires)
3 90- Jason Arroyo TE
3 99- Jamaree Caldwell NT
4 118- Jordan Hancock / Cobee Bryant / Jabaar Mohammed CB
4 125- Billy Bowman / Malachi Starks S (from trade down from 75)
4 138- CJ West DL (penetrating DL - DJ Jones clone but better - we met with him at Shrine or Senior Bowl)
4 139- Sa'vion Jones EDGE (think Shemar Stewart lite 6'5 290 can rush the passer on early downs and slip inside on 3rd downs)
5 189- Jah Joyner EDGE (we met with him at Shrine or Senior Bowl)
6 228- Patrick Jenkins DL (penetrating DL)

I don't project trades. Who knows if someone wants to move up

Knight is a monster man. And I stay away from Alabama linebackers

Fair enough but unlikely we just stay at all of our pick spots also. I think we will be open for business for a trade down from #11 and there will be someone good that teams will want to trade up for (Johnson/Warren/Jeanty/Pearce Jr)

And with that attitude can miss out on a great prospect. Campbell is 6'3 245 and can do everything at an elite level...coverage, tackling, off the edge. If he runs a sub 4.5 40 time I want him bad. I do like Knight though as my second option at #99, 112, or 138.

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Fasteddy:

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Heroism:
Which is exactly why they need to adjust their approach. These tiny IDL can't hold up against an onslaught of double teams. There's a reason all of these tiny IDL end up banged up throughout the season--they're not built to withstand the punishment of the wide 9. Inside zone and duo are the two primary runs teams use to attack the wide 9, which means the nose and 3 tech are going to face an avalanche of double teams. Hargrave experienced the physical effects of the wide 9 when he got here. He was running on fumes late in the year and playoffs in 2023 because he was gassed from taking on double teams. With teams pivoting back to running the ball, the 49ers really need to beef up their interior line, especially if they're serious about matching up with the Lions and Eagles.

btw I don't know where you're getting your numbers. DJ Jones was 320 pounds and the only one on that list that could consistently hold up against double teams. Givens is 285 pounds; Solomon Thomas 300? LOL.

I'm tired of the small linemen that attack one gap yet get blown up in the run game.

Our whole scheme is to stop the pass yet we don't have the personnel to stop the run.

We can still get some big bodies that have agility and can move.

*Assuming we lose Greenlaw in free agency and Mason Graham goes before us:

1.11- Kenneth Grant, DT- Michigan
2.43- Demetrius Knight, LB- South Carolina
3.74- Jared Ivey, DE- Ole Miss
3.99- Jamaree Caldwell, NT- Oregon
4.112- Jordan Hancock, CB- Ohio State
4.138- Billy Bowman Jr., S- Oklahoma
4.139- Jackson Hawes, TE- Georgia Tech

I like a number of the picks. No OL in the draft?

I don't know. I think we sign a center (Drew Dalman or Ryan Kelly) and a veteran guard.

Shanahan will not start a rookie lineman unless he absolute has to.

LT- Trent Williams
LG- Ben Bartch / Spencer Burford / Nick Zakelj
C- Veteran signing / Matt Hennessy / Drake Nugent
RG- Dominick Puni
RT- Colton McKivitz / Austen Pleasants

I can't see a rookie other than a top pick beating out any of these guys and do we spend a top pick on a backup lineman when we have to revamp our D?

I like your overall thinking. We did get Trent via a very good trade. I think they should look to sign one or two players a la what you proposed. But they should invest at least one 3rd rounder into an O-Lineman min. That said, picking up 3 of the player types you have in your top 5 would be amazing regardless of what is done on the offensive side. I would also not be opposed to a trade of Deebo for a piece that plugs one of the needs as well, offsetting one of the draft needs.

Originally posted by Ezekiel38:
Fair enough but unlikely we just stay at all of our pick spots also. I think we will be open for business for a trade down from #11 and there will be someone good that teams will want to trade up for (Johnson/Warren/Jeanty/Pearce Jr)

And with that attitude can miss out on a great prospect. Campbell is 6'3 245 and can do everything at an elite level...coverage, tackling, off the edge. If he runs a sub 4.5 40 time I want him bad. I do like Knight though as my second option at #99, 112, or 138.

Campbell has zero instincts. None. He is all athletic ability who was surrounded by All Stars at Alabama. He is not the type of LB that we look for in the slightest.

"Campbell has the build and traits of an Alabama linebacker but might need to upgrade in some areas. He doesn't play with early instincts or play recognition and is inconsistent in challenging blockers and leveraging his run fits. Campbell uses his speed and athleticism to help mitigate mistakes and get to the football at a relatively high rate. He's a rangy, consistent open-field tackler who excels on third downs as a fluid blitzer and impressive cover talent. The elite traits and athletic talent will be tantalizing, but the best way to utilize him might be as a full-time 3-4 rush linebacker, where he can play more proactively instead of reactively as an off-ball linebacker"

Strengths

• Prototypical height, weight and musculation.
• Impressive production in high-impact stat columns.
• Pursuit speed allows sideline-to-sideline workspace.
• Breaks down and mirrors backs as an open-field tackler.
• Has the burst and work-around ability to threaten as a rusher.
• Gains depth quickly from zone and can cover running backs.
• Quick read-and-react to challenge the passing lane.

Weaknesses

• Lacks instincts and plays through a straw.
• Gets caught behind blocks and will lose contain.
• Catches contact more than he doles it out at the point.
• Needs to attack blocks and constrict his gap.
• Allows edge blockers to widen him off the spot.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
This might be the biggest priority we focus on and wouldn't be surprised to see DT as our top pick this year.

Discuss your favorite options.

I like Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky) and Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan), draft both in the later rounds. Kind of like how the Eagles drafted (2) DB's in the 2024 draft...