The 49ers invested heavily in the defensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft but, despite the positive steps taken by the likes of Alfred Collins, CJ West and, before his season-ending injury, first-round pick Mykel Williams, there’s a strong chance San Francisco will use more capital on that area of the team this offseason.
San Francisco has four defensive linemen set for unrestricted free agency, and, though Yetur Gross-Matos often stood out when healthy, his injury record means there is a decent chance
none of that quartet are back. Indeed, the 49ers could quite easily re-sign Jordan Elliott, Kevin Givens, and Clelin Ferrell to help fill out the rotation, but there’s no reason a team that needs to continue getting younger should be in any rush to do so.
Indeed, the 49ers’ emphasis on the defensive side of the trenches should be on finding long-term contributors who can impact a pass rush that was anaemic without Nick Bosa in 2025 and a run defense that struggled down the stretch.
As such, the 49er staff in attendance for the first day of Senior Bowl practices will likely have had a keen eye on the defensive linemen on show in Mobile, and will almost certainly have been impressed with what they saw.
The defensive line had a clear advantage over the offensive line in the National Team practice and, while it was more even in the American Team practice, there were still some obvious standouts on D-Line.
For the National Team, the most disruptive player of the practice session from a pass rush perspective was T.J. Parker from Clemson.
Parker had 21.5 sacks and 41.5 tackles for loss in three seasons with the Tigers, and he flashed the traits that allowed him to put up those numbers in the 1-on-1 drills against the offensive line.
Having measured at 6’3” and 263 pounds, Parker made the most of his imposing frame, showing an ability to win with speed to power and producing arguably the rep of the day when he won with a monstrous long arm against Maryland’s Alan Herron.
While Parker predominantly operated in a two-point stance at Clemson, he is clearly a player dripping with the kind of traits the 49ers covet at edge rusher, which remains a position where they could use more juice behind Bosa and Bryce Huff.
Michigan’s Derrick Moore was another edge to shine as he thrived in the American Team practice. Measuring at 6’3” and 254 pounds. Moore’s raw power was on show throughout practice, and he also ensured that run plays frequently went nowhere during team drills.
Considering how much the run defense fell off following Williams’ season-ending injury, it would behove the 49ers to seek out young edge defenders who can dominate in that area and provide a pass-rush spark.
Moore’s performance in practice on day one and his numbers from his final season with the Wolverines — 10.5 TFL and 10 sacks — suggest he could fit the bill.
Perhaps more pressing than a need for more help on the edge is the need the 49ers have for an improved interior pass rush. Collins and West are clear building blocks when it comes to stopping inside runs, but they still have some developing to do as pass rushers.
Adding interior players who consistently defeat pass blocks is a must, especially if the versatile Gross-Matos is allowed to level.
Zane Durant of Penn State is clearly one such player who could be available in the mid to late rounds. Boasting a 6’1” and 290-pound frame, Durant is your typical penetrating 3-technique, and he demonstrated a proficiency for winning with power, quickness, and a well-executed swipe move on day one in Mobile.
The absence of that kind of player from the 49ers’ D-Line was glaring last year as they continually struggled to get pressure on passing downs.
For as much as the Niners have reason to be encouraged by the D-Linemen they took last year, they can’t afford to neglect that side of the trenches this year, and they should be compelled by several of the draft options who made an early statement in Mobile.
