The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a disappointing season. At 6-11, the 49ers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and it leads to an important offseason where several areas need to be addressed.
One of the biggest issues is at defensive tackle. The 49ers came into the season relying on Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins to anchor the run defense but San Francisco was gored on the ground, allowing 124.6 rushing yards per game and five running backs to go over 100 rushing yards over the final seven games.
With Hargrave hitting free agency, the trenches must be addressed. Fortunately for the 49ers, there’s plenty of talent on this year’s draft class with a potential target picked to blow up at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine.
49ers Draft Target Shemar Stewart Could Put on a Show at NFL Scouting Combine
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman ran through a list of players from his annual "Freaks List" that he expects to put on a big performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. The 40-player list was filled with interior defenders including another potential 49ers target in Michigan’s Mason Graham, but Feldman had high praise for Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, who was slotted at No. 2.
“The one-time five star recruit had an inconsistent college career ... but his potential is tantalizing, and he was impressive during Senior Bowl week when he showed some refinement in his pass-rush game. In 2024, the Miami native led A&M with seven QB hurries to go with 5.5 tackles for loss. Expect him to turn a lot of heads when he tests in Indy.”
Feldman went on to quote Texas A&M defensive line coach Sean Spencer, who believed Stewart could run an eye-popping time in the 40-yard dash.
“He’s a freak, man,” Spencer said. “He will run a low-4.5 at 280 [pounds] and [6-foot-5]. He can fly. At worst, I think he’ll go 4.62, 4.63. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t break 4.60.”
Whatever Stewart runs, it will be sure to attract the 49ers. Stewart is currently listed as Pro Football Focus’s No. 8 interior defender prospect and No. 46 overall prospect in this year’s draft. While his overall grade dipped from 76.6 in 2023 to 59.1 last year, he continued to excel in stopping the run, recording a 64.3 run defense grade and a 7.9% run-stop rate.
Turner is unlikely to be considered with the 11th overall pick but he could be a target when the 49ers are on the clock with the 43rd pick in the second round. With defensive line such a big need, San Francisco could even double up with Stewart as they look to turn their fortunes around in 2025.