49ers Prepare to Host Two Top Defensive Players for Pre-Draft Visits Amid Roster Rebuild

 

49ers Prepare to Host Two Top Defensive Players for Pre-Draft Visits Amid Roster Rebuild

 

By Staff Writer | April 8, 2025

 

San Francisco, CA — In the midst of an offseason marked by significant transition and tough financial decisions, the San Francisco 49ers are laser-focused on a pivotal opportunity to reload through the 2025 NFL Draft.

 

 

With key players departing via free agency and salary cap-driven cuts, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan are looking to reinforce the core identity of their team: a dominant, fast, and physical defense built from the trenches outward.

 

According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, the 49ers are scheduled to host pre-draft visits with two of this year’s most highly touted defensive linemen: Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams and Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen.

 

Both players are widely projected to be first-round selections and could potentially be available when the 49ers make their pick at No. 31—or serve as potential trade-up targets if Lynch and the front office identify a must-have defensive cornerstone.

 

Adding further intrigue to the team’s draft plans, Tennessee defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott is also expected to visit the 49ers in the coming days. While not projected as a first-rounder, Norman-Lott has emerged as a compelling Day 2 prospect with the tools to be a valuable rotational contributor from Day 1.

 

A Transitional Offseason

 

The 49ers’ 2025 offseason has been one of the most turbulent in recent memory. Following their heartbreaking overtime loss in Super Bowl LIX to the Baltimore Ravens, the front office was confronted with the harsh realities of a tight salary cap and a roster loaded with high-priced veterans. As a result, longtime defensive lineman Arik Armstead was released, safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. retired, and pass-rusher Chase Young departed in free agency, signing a lucrative multi-year deal with the New York Jets.

 

While San Francisco managed to retain linebacker Dre Greenlaw and restructure several contracts to keep stars like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner in place, the departures left glaring holes on the defensive front—areas the team has traditionally prioritized in both free agency and the draft.

 

“The 49ers have always been a team that wants to control the line of scrimmage,” said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “Losing guys like Armstead and Young means they’re going to need to find impact players up front again. Hosting guys like Williams and Nolen tells you where their head is at. They’re not trying to take a step back.”

 

Mykel Williams: The Next Star Edge from Georgia?

 

Of the two headlining prospects set to visit the 49ers, Mykel Williams might be the most exciting fit. At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Williams blends elite athleticism with power and technique.

 

 

Over the past two seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, he developed into one of the most feared edge rushers in the country, compiling 14 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, and earning All-SEC honors in 2024.

 

His breakout performance came against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, where he registered three sacks and six pressures, routinely overwhelming Crimson Tide tackles with his blend of speed and hand usage.

 

Scouts rave about his ability to convert speed to power, his relentless pursuit of the quarterback, and his experience playing in multiple fronts under Georgia’s complex defensive system. Many compare him to a young Montez Sweat or Danielle Hunter, with an even higher ceiling.

 

“Williams is the kind of edge you draft to be your future for the next decade,” said former NFL scout and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick. “If he’s there at 31, the 49ers should sprint to the podium. And if they believe he’s going top 20, don’t be shocked if they try to move up. He’s that type of player.”

 

Williams has reportedly met with several other teams, including the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Philadelphia Eagles. However, a strong connection with 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek—who has a long history of developing elite pass rushers—has sparked buzz around a potential draft day move by San Francisco to grab Williams.

 

Walter Nolen: A Massive Disruptor on the Interior

 

While Williams might be the flashier name, Walter Nolen could fill an even more pressing need for the 49ers on the interior. At 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds, Nolen is a freakish athlete for his size, capable of exploding off the line with low pad level and closing burst. After transferring from Texas A&M to Ole Miss in 2024, he posted a career-high 7 sacks, 48 total tackles, and 2 forced fumbles, anchoring a much-improved Rebels defense.

 

Nolen’s ability to line up as a 3-technique or 1-technique gives him scheme versatility, and his combination of strength and lateral agility makes him a nightmare for guards and centers alike. In pre-draft testing, Nolen reportedly ran a sub-5.0-second 40-yard dash and impressed with a 33-inch vertical jump—numbers that further boosted his draft stock.

 

 

The 49ers are not the only team interested. Nolen is also set to meet with the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, and Arizona Cardinals, all of whom are eyeing defensive line reinforcements. Still, San Francisco’s reputation for maximizing defensive line talent could appeal to Nolen, who has expressed interest in joining a “defensive-minded team with championship culture.”

 

“I want to win,” Nolen said during a media appearance at the NFL Combine. “I want to be around guys who love the game, who bring intensity every day. San Francisco’s one of those places.”

 

Given the departure of Armstead and questions surrounding Javon Kinlaw’s durability, Nolen could slide into a starting role immediately in San Francisco’s 4-3 front—especially if paired with Bosa on stunts and rush packages.

 

Omarr Norman-Lott: A Rising Mid-Round Gem?

While not as hyped as Williams or Nolen, Omarr Norman-Lott is not to be overlooked. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound tackle from Tennessee quietly put together a strong 2024 season, logging 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a reputation for holding his ground against double teams. Known for his high motor and toughness, Norman-Lott projects as a rotational defensive tackle who could develop into a starter with proper coaching.

 

 

For a team like the 49ers—who value depth on the defensive line almost as much as star power—Norman-Lott represents the kind of player that can be molded into a long-term contributor. His technique, pad level, and ability to shed blocks have improved steadily each year, and his football IQ makes him a strong candidate for a backup 1-tech or 3-tech role.

 

“Norman-Lott is a classic 49ers mid-round value pick,” said Bleacher Report draft analyst Brent Sobleski. “He may not be a Day 1 impact guy, but a year under Kocurek’s tutelage and he could be a mainstay in the rotation.”

 

Norman-Lott is projected to be selected between Rounds 3 and 5, and the 49ers currently hold multiple picks in that range, including No. 95 and No. 132.

 

Draft Strategy: Will Lynch Trade Up?

 

With only seven total picks this year and no selections in the second round due to prior trades, the 49ers have to be strategic in how they maneuver the draft board. But that hasn’t stopped Lynch in the past. In 2021, San Francisco traded up to No. 3 to select quarterback Trey Lance. And in 2023, the team traded up for safety Ji’Ayir Brown, who’s now expected to be a key starter in 2025.

 

If Lynch and Shanahan are convinced that Williams or Nolen could be long-term foundational pieces, the front office may explore packaging mid-round picks or future capital to climb up the board.

 

“We’re going to look at everything,” Lynch said last week at the NFL owners meetings. “You don’t want to mortgage your future, but if there’s a guy you believe can be a game-changer, you have to be aggressive. That’s always been our mindset.”

 

Defensive Identity Remains the Priority

 

While fans have speculated about potential offensive upgrades—including offensive line depth or a wide receiver opposite Brandon Aiyuk—the focus on the defensive front reaffirms where this team’s priorities lie.

 

Since Shanahan and Lynch took over in 2017, the 49ers have consistently invested in their defensive line. From drafting Bosa, Kinlaw, and Solomon Thomas to trading for Dee Ford and signing Javon Hargrave, the emphasis has always been on creating chaos up front and letting the linebackers and secondary feed off that pressure.

 

 

Now, with the defense needing a new wave of talent, that identity isn’t changing.

 

“This is who we are,” defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said during his introductory press conference in February. “We play fast, physical, and aggressive. That starts with the guys up front. We want dogs who love contact, love competition, and love dominating.”

 

What’s Next?

 

With less than three weeks until the draft, the 49ers’ front office will continue to host and evaluate prospects across the board. But make no mistake: the spotlight is on the defensive line, and players like Mykel Williams and Walter Nolen are at the center of San Francisco’s draft-day ambitions.

If the right scenario unfolds on April 24, don’t be surprised to hear either of those names called with the 49ers’ selection—or even earlier if Lynch decides it’s time to make another bold move.

Because for a team that still believes its Super Bowl window is wide open, the mission is clear: reload, not rebuild.