The San Francisco 49ers are expected to strengthen their defensive line in the upcoming draft, though it's still unclear whether they'll do so with the No. 11 overall pick or look for talent later in the draft. If they choose the latter, one potential target could be Virginia Tech defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles.

Peebles (6-1, 282) recently told Justin Melo of The Draft Network that he met with the 49ers at the Senior Bowl. Melo noted that Peebles boosted his draft stock at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.94-second 40-yard dash, which ranked fourth among defensive tackle prospects, and his 32.5-inch vertical jump ranked seventh.



"Virginia Tech defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles is among the most tenacious and technically savvy prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft," Melo wrote. "Peebles is a flat-out game-wrecker."

Peebles played one season at Virginia Tech after transferring from Duke. In 2024, he recorded 31 tackles (seven for loss), three sacks, and three passes defensed, according to Pro Football Reference.

Peebles earned 37 pressures and a 91.2 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest among all qualifying interior defenders last season. His 89.1 defensive grade marked a career high.

However, Peebles believes he proved to NFL teams at the Senior Bowl that he's more than just a pass rusher.

"I feel like I proved I'm one of the best defensive tackles in this draft class," Peebles told Melo. "More specifically, I feel like I showed scouts that I'm more than just a pass rusher. I'm more than that. I feel like I can be an every-down defensive tackle. I proved to scouts during the Senior Bowl process that I could also play the run."


Peebles added, "I blow up plays. I'm disruptive, man. That's my mentality. I'm a bull in a china shop. I have to destroy plays."

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