Fans are eager to see if the team will prioritize protecting Brock Purdy, their soon-to-be highly-paid quarterback, with a top draft pick. Brugler's mock draft has them doing just that at No. 11 overall, selecting former Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou.
"Based on the players expected to be available in this range, there is a decent chance the 49ers use this pick to address the trenches, either on the offensive or defensive line," Brugler explained. "Membou is incredibly underrated, but he plays with exceptional control, athleticism and finish. He would give San Francisco an ascending player with guard-tackle versatility."
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 325 pounds, Membou is the second offensive lineman off the board in Brugler's mock draft. The analyst projects the Chicago Bears selecting Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons with the 10th overall pick.
Membou, a two-year starter, earned an outstanding 90.5 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus this season, ranking fourth nationally among offensive linemen. He also posted impressive marks of 88.0 in run blocking and 85.4 in pass blocking. Over 410 pass-blocking snaps, Membou allowed just nine pressures and zero sacks.
Membou, who won't turn 21 until the end of March, played all but one snap at right tackle throughout his collegiate career. However, Brugler lists him as a candidate to play either tackle or guard at the NFL level.
In the second round, Brugler has the 49ers addressing another critical need by selecting former Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Nolen tallied 10.5 sacks over his final two collegiate seasons with Texas A&M and Ole Miss. In 2024, he recorded 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and three passes defensed.
Nolen's 91.6 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus ranked second nationally among defensive linemen, making him a strong candidate to bolster a 49ers defensive front that allowed 124.6 rushing yards per game and 24 rushing touchdowns, the latter of which ranked as the second-most in the NFL last season.
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