Insider details why Walter Nolen is a name to watch for 49ers in NFL Draft

Matt Maiocco is honing in on Ole Miss' Walter Nolen as the 49ers' top target in the 2025 NFL Draft, describing why.

The San Francisco 49ers could go in one of several different directions with their top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, No. 11 overall.

General manager John Lynch could feasibly trade up, although that seems unlikely. He could trade down to stockpile more picks to reinforce what's been a depleted roster. Or, Lynch could stand pat and draft the best player possible, hoping to mesh need in the process.

Speaking of staying put, some feel the Niners should grab a player from a position group that's notably thin later in the draft, such as cornerback. That's what ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. suggested in his most recent mock.

However, San Francisco could stockpile defensive linemen, considering its own pressing needs at that spot and the depth of this year's class along the D-line.

If that's the strategy, one well-respected team insider has a name in mind.

Matt Maiocco suggests 49ers will hone in on DT Walter Nolen

NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco put together a Round 1 mock for all 32 teams, spending considerably more time on the 49ers where he's a pool reporter for Bay Area media.

His pick for the Niners? Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen.

Maiocco detailed why the 6-foot-4, 296-pound defender would be an ideal pick for Lynch and Co.:

"The 49ers’ starting defensive tackles to open last season were Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins. Now, both are gone and San Francisco has some holes to fill along their defensive line.

Nolen (6-foot-4, 296 pounds) is an explosive defensive tackle who is at his best getting up the field and into the offensive backfield. He had 6.5 sacks last season and 14 tackles for loss."

Maiocco even included this tweet from the NFL Combine where Nolen aimed to be the next perennial All-Pro defensive tackle like Aaron Donald, subtly hoping and suggesting that was the trajectory:

Indeed, the Niners haven't had a true long-term interior disruptor since now-Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead was present, and the interior of the D-line overall hasn't been dominant since Armstead was paired with now-Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, a duo that ended in 2020.

Nolen could potentially be one-half of that tandem, provided that's what San Francisco is thinking and the prospect is available at No. 11.

Considering Maiocco has a pretty good pulse on what's going on inside 49ers HQ, it wouldn't be a shocker to see Nolen's name called when the Niners are first on the board later this April.

Read more from Niner Noise