49ers 7-round mock NFL Draft after first wave of free agency

Round 5, Pick No. 180 Overall (Compensatory): 49ers select defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, Texas A&M

The Niners elected to retain nose tackle D.J. Jones on a one-year deal, which was a smart move even though they also have reserve defensive tackle Kevin Givens waiting in the folds.

But like the offensive line, San Francisco still has plenty of room for depth pieces, both on the outside and within the interior, so it wouldn’t hurt to stockpile some additional players later in the draft who can, at the very least, compete for a spot on the depth chart while eyeing a long-term starter’s role if and when Jones leaves in 2022.

One of the better run-stuffers in this year’s draft class, Texas A&M defensive tackle Bobby Brown III could be one of those quality day-three finds if the 49ers are looking for an imposing 1-technique player who can use his massive 6-foot-4, 325-pound frame to plug up some of the interior rushing lanes the Niners defense will face.

That’ll be important, considering their wide-9 alignment.

Brown managed 5.5 sacks last season for the Aggies, although he doesn’t project to be too big a pass-rusher. He could, however, start right away in base downs while potentially emerging as a three-down lineman if he’s able to hone some interior pass-rushing moves.

Even if he remains a run-stopper, getting a player of that caliber this late in the draft isn’t a bad idea.