Michigan's Mason Graham is widely regarded as the top interior defensive line prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, with most projections placing him off the board before the San Francisco 49ers are on the clock at No. 11. Another name quickly rising up draft boards is Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen—and according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the 49ers might be a team to watch when it comes to the talented prospect.

San Francisco clearly needs reinforcements along the defensive line after losing significant depth this offseason. The team is expected to use the draft to restock the trenches with young, cost-effective talent.


"Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen may go higher than you think," Breer wrote in his Monday morning feature for Sports Illustrated. "Some teams believe he projects better to the NFL than Graham. The character/entitlement question is what you have to get past. But if you have solid infrastructure, as well as locker room and defensive line room, the payoff could be big. So if the San Francisco 49ers are willing to take a swing …"

Regarding those character concerns, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently reported, "Multiple scouts have maturity concerns ... There are several NFL scouting reports that reflect Nolen's history of walking off the practice field mid-session due to frustration. Opinions of his team interviews are varied, but one NFL personnel executive said Nolen came across as someone who wants to improve and shed bad habits."

Fowler echoed Breer's sentiment that landing in a veteran-laden locker room could benefit Nolen and help him mature.

It's clear the 49ers are doing their due diligence. The team met with Nolen during February's NFL Scouting Combine and, more recently, brought him to Santa Clara for a top-30 visit.

San Francisco currently holds 11 picks in this week's draft, starting with the No. 11 overall selection.

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