Liskiewitz projects that Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham could slide in the first round, remaining available when the 49ers are on the clock at No. 11, where they seize the opportunity to draft him.
"While Texas OT Kelvin Banks has long seemed like a natural fit here, it's hard to imagine the 49ers passing on a prospect like Mason Graham," Liskiewitz wrote.
PFF currently ranks Graham as the top interior defensive lineman in the draft, making him a prime target for San Francisco after the team parted ways with Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins this offseason.
Many mock drafts link Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen to the 49ers at No. 11, operating under the assumption that Graham will be selected earlier. However, Liskiewitz believes several top-10 teams may pass on the former Wolverine.
"San Francisco has struggled to consistently stop the run in recent years, and no interior defender in college football was more dominant in that phase than Graham," Liskiewitz continued. "He earned a positive grade on 31.7% of run plays in 2024, the highest mark in the country."
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Graham measured just under 6-foot-4 and weighed 296 pounds, which was lighter than expected. His 32-inch arm length has likely contributed to any speculation about a potential draft-day slide.
"Graham has shorter-than-ideal arms for an NFL interior defensive lineman, but outside of that, there is a lot to love," PFF wrote in its scouting report. "He is fast, violent and relentless, and he can stop the run with great strength. He brings a high floor at all times and a high ceiling in flashes as a 3-technique defensive tackle for a 4-3 front."
In 2024, Graham recorded 45 tackles (seven for loss), 3.5 sacks, and one pass defensed, per Sports Reference. He also posted career-best grades from PFF, with a 91.1 overall defensive grade and a 92.6 run-defense grade. His 34 total pressures from the interior earned him a respectable 81.1 pass-rush grade.
Liskiewitz isn't the only one predicting that Graham could fall out of the top 10. ESPN's Peter Schrager also has the standout defensive tackle slipping to No. 11 in his latest mock draft. Surprisingly, though, he has the 49ers passing on Graham in favor of Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
"Don't be shocked if [Nolen] goes before Mason Graham, the more heralded defensive tackle," Schrager wrote.
He projects the Miami Dolphins to scoop up Graham two picks later, at No. 13.
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