With several key needs to address, the 49ers could go in multiple directions. However, most experts believe general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will start by reinforcing the trenches.
For the final time this year, here's our roundup, collecting several mock drafts recently published.
Dane Brugler (The Athletic)
49ers at No. 11: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
"The 49ers are looking to get better in the trenches, which means there are a few different directions they could go here," Brugler wrote. "Nolen is a disruptive force who can attack gaps and create problems in the backfield, although the consistency isn't always there."
Mock draft link: The Athletic
Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated)
49ers at No. 11: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
"In the end, I think GM John Lynch and coach Mike Shanahan get Robert Saleh and Kris Kocurek the disruptive interior rusher they need—with Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins gone—and trust they'll be able to light a fire under Nolen, who's ultra-talented and also seen as having a sense of entitlement," Breer wrote. "But if there's a curveball coming here, keep an eye on McMillan, whose old coach, Jedd Fisch, is a Mike Shanahan disciple."
Mock draft link: Sports Illustrated
Tony Pauline (Sportskeeda)
49ers at No. 11: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
"The Niners will go defensive line, and it's just a matter of whether the pass rusher they covet falls to their spot," Pauline wrote.
Mock draft link: Sportskeeda
Lance Zierlein (NFL.com)
49ers at No. 11: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
"The slide ends for Graham. The defensive tackle with the non-stop motor steps right into playing time with the 49ers," Zierlein wrote.
Mock draft link: NFL.com
Trevor Sikkema (Pro Football Focus)
49ers at No. 11: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
"Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh gets his one-gap, attacking 3-technique defensive tackle in Graham," Sikkema wrote. "While he's not quite the force Saleh had in Quinnen Williams, Graham earned elite run-defense grades over the past two seasons and brings fast, active hands as a pass rusher to help compensate for his lack of length."
Mock draft link: Pro Football Focus
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports)
49ers at No. 11: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
"Their defensive tackle spot is a mess," Prisco wrote. "They pass on taking Mason Graham here to take Nolen, who some scouts think will be better. Nolen has the tools to be a dominant player if focused."
Mock draft link: CBS Sports
Mike Renner (CBS Sports)
49ers at No. 11: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
"Nolen has as much talent as any defensive lineman in this draft class, and the 49ers have the elite defensive-line coach in Kris Kocurek to get the most out of him," Renner wrote.
Mock draft link: CBS Sports
Ayrton Ostly (USA Today)
49ers at No. 11: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
"San Francisco needs help in the trenches and Harmon could make for a good fit on defense," Ostly wrote. "He offers the size and length that the 49ers like on the defensive line and is more pro-ready than many of the edge rushers in this class. That will appeal to a team with playoff aspirations."
Mock draft link: USA Today
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (USA Today)
49ers at No. 11: DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
"Maybe this is earlier than some might expect for Williams, an athletic marvel who never reached the production level many expected for him amid injury setbacks and usage limitations," Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. "But with John Lynch stressing the importance of setting the edge, the 6-5, 260-pounder sizes up as what San Francisco is searching for in a running mate for Nick Bosa."
Mock draft link: USA Today
Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk)
49ers at No. 11: DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Mock draft link: Pro Football Talk
Brentley Weissman (Pro Football Network, 3-round mock)
49ers at No. 11: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
"With draft week now here, I think Josh Simmons is a player who will gain steam and end up going much higher than many people think," Weissman wrote. "He may be coming off an injury, but Simmons is a high-end pass protector with very good athleticism and length.
"San Francisco must be tasked with finding an eventual replacement for Trent Williams who could be entering his final year with the team. Finding elite tackles usually means drafting them high."
49ers at No. 43: DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
"Tyleik Williams is an exciting prospect who is getting undervalued, in my opinion," Weissman wrote. "He has very good power and quickness and is one of the class's best run stoppers. Look for him to step in and be a rotational player with the San Francisco 49ers' defensive front."
49ers at No. 75: CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
"Denzel Burke is a four-year starter who possesses good size and athleticism," Weissman wrote. "He may not ever be a superstar, but Burke has solid starter potential, and here in the third round, that's all you are looking for. Look for him to compete for a role in the 49ers' secondary."
49ers at No. 100: DE Ashton Gillotte, Louisville
"Ashton Gillote is a pure power rusher who knows how to collapse the pocket with his raw strength and short-area quickness," Weissman wrote.
Mock draft link: Pro Football Network
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