San Francisco,We – April 23, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers selected Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, per sources, addressing a glaring need on their defensive line. Finalized Thursday in Green Bay, John Lynch’s choice aims to restore the 49ers’ trench dominance after a 6-11 season. Kyle Shanahan’s squad targets a playoff return, per Matt Maiocco.
Nick Bosa, the 49ers’ pass-rush star, lost key partners with Javon Hargrave and Leonard Floyd’s departures. Nolen, a 6-foot-4, 296-pound force, racked up 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in 2024, earning All-SEC honors, per NFL.com. His explosive first step and violent hands, lauded by Field Yates, fit Kris Kocurek’s aggressive scheme.
Nolen’s 91.6 PFF run-defense grade, second among defensive linemen, bolsters a unit that allowed 24.3 points per game, per CBS Sports. Robert Saleh’s return as defensive coordinator amplifies the pick’s potential, pairing Nolen with Fred Warner to disrupt backfields. Brock Purdy’s offense gains breathing room, per Dane Brugler.
The selection, projected by Albert Breer, carries risks due to Nolen’s maturity concerns, with scouts noting practice walk-offs, per Jeremy Fowler. His $12 million, four-year rookie deal fits the 49ers’ $22 million cap, per OverTheCap, preserving funds for Purdy’s $50-60 million extension, per Grant Cohn.
Lynch’s 10 remaining picks, including two in round four, must address Trent Williams’s heir and Charvarius Ward’s replacement, per Chad Reuter. Nolen’s 2023 tape—four sacks at Texas A&M—showed rawness, but his 2024 Ole Miss dominance signals growth, per Pro Football Network. Saleh’s veteran locker room could guide him, per Breer.
Philadelphia’s trade of Bryce Huff, a pass-rush bust, freed cap for youth, per Alex Ballentine. The 49ers, avoiding such missteps, see Nolen as a cornerstone, per Ian Valentino. His 48 tackles and three passes defended in 2024 showcase versatility, per Josh Edwards.
Shanahan’s trench-focused drafts—Aiyuk, Kinlaw—inspire confidence. Nolen’s childhood fandom of Patrick Willis, revealed at the Combine, adds emotional weight, per Maiocco. Puka Nacua’s cap warning about Purdy underscores cheap talent’s value, per Web ID: 14.
This pick aims to revive 2019’s defensive glory. If Nolen harnesses his “play-wrecker” traits, lauded by Yates, the 49ers’ front could dominate, fueling Purdy’s 2025 push. A bust risks stalling Saleh’s rebuild in a fierce NFC
