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San Francisco 49ers: Far-too-soon mock 2021 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

BERKELEY, CA - DECEMBER 01: Cornerback Paulson Adebo #11 of the Stanford Cardinal intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Vic Wharton III #17 of the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Berkeley, California. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the California Golden Bears 23-13. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA - DECEMBER 01: Cornerback Paulson Adebo #11 of the Stanford Cardinal intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Vic Wharton III #17 of the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Berkeley, California. The Stanford Cardinal defeated the California Golden Bears 23-13. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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Khyiris Tonga #95 of the Brigham Young Cougars (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
Khyiris Tonga #95 of the Brigham Young Cougars (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

Cougars . Khyiris Tonga . 255. player. 861. . Defensive Tackle

The 49ers have one of the best defensive lines in football entering 2020, thanks largely the the hopefully seamless transition from now-Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to Javon Kinlaw, along with the edge-rushing prowess of Nick Bosa and Dee Ford.

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But the depth, particularly along the interior, could use some help. Especially considering the Niners aren’t picking up the fifth-year option on another former first-round draftee, defensive end Solomon Thomas.

Thomas has been a bust so far, yes. Yet he’s emerged as a decent run stopper and quality backup behind San Francisco’s well-known starters.

Fortunately run-stopping interior defenders are pretty easy to find, and there should be a number of these kinds of players late in the 2021 NFL Draft.

One to watch would be BYU defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, whose massive 6-foot-4, 321-pound frame can eat up space along the inside of the defensive formation.

Next. Grading all 32 teams' NFL Draft classes from 2020. dark

Tonga has a little bit of an interior pass rush, too, registering five sacks over his three-year collegiate career. Yet his best value would be in 1- and 3-technique positions where he could look to overpower interior offensive linemen looking to establish the run.