Kurtenbach: 49ers Mock Draft — Walter Nolen is exactly what the Niners need

The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl for various reasons, one of which was that they drafted exceptionally well.

And for a few seasons, it seemed as if they took Georgia players nearly every pick.

It’s a smart pipeline — UGA was the dominant force in college football then, and no one put together a better defense than Kirby Smart.

The Niners should establish their own pipeline starting with the 2025 draft. It’s time to connect Santa Clara and Oxford, Miss.

Ole Miss built the best team money could buy in 2024. The Rebs’ talent was eye-watering, but their quarterback’s mistakes ultimately kept them out of the playoffs.

The Niners, who need to get younger, faster, and meaner — particularly on the defensive side of the ball — don’t need a quarterback, so Ole Miss’ loss can be their gain.

And while the Niners are picking up some five-star talent at Ole Miss, why not look around to a bunch of other top programs?

Here’s my second mock draft of 2025:

Trade: Nos. 11 and 139 to Green Bay for Nos. 23, 54, and a 2026 second-round pick.

Pick No. 23: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

A 3-technique that is tailor-made for the 49ers’ one-gap system, Nolen — more so than any other defensive tackle in this loaded class — has the potential to be a game-wrecker on par with Chris Jones or Jalen Carter. The Niners could take him at No. 11 and feel good about it. Being bold and waiting until No. 23 with this trade will give them another second-round pick. That’s excellent value, like getting Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga for D’Angelo Russell.

Pick No. 43: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

Amos might be a perfect Cover-3 cornerback. He’s smooth, smart, and willing to engage in the run game. Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal. With Renardo Green, Deommodore Lenoir, and Amos, the Niners would be set at cornerback for a half-decade.

Trade: No. 54, Green Bay’s second-round pick to Miami for No. 48

Pick No. 48: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia

This might be a slight overpay with this second trade, but Milum is worth the cost. The West Virginia offensive lineman had 2311 collegiate snaps in the Big 12. He allowed one quarterback hit and no sacks.

Yes, you read that right.

At six-foot-six and 317 pounds, he lacks long arms, which has some analysts suggesting he should play inside. I think he’s the team’s future left tackle — Joe Thomas had short arms, too. In the meantime, he can play next to Trent Williams as the team’s left guard. While his movement skills are excellent, much like Dom Puni, less can be more for Milum in the next few seasons. And when Williams is ready to retire — be that after 2025 or beyond — the Niners won’t be scrambling for a replacement.

Pick No. 75: Andrew Mukuba, SS, Texas

You won’t find anyone who dislikes Mukuba’s film. This guy is a true football player — hard-hitting to the point of detriment.

But don’t mistake excess tenacity for a lack of athleticism — Mukuba can still cover ground and has excellent play-recognition skills.

Paired with a similar player in Malik Mustapha, the Niners would pack a mighty punch at safety. For a team that is likely looking for players that bring juice with the presumed exits of Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw, having two missiles in the defensive backfield is vital.

Pick No. 99: Smael Mondon, LB, Georgia

Mondon is a first-round talent with a Day 3 body. There’s concern about his foot injury, which hampered his 2024 season and can’t be considered an afterthought after he posted a slower-than-expected 40-yard dash time at the NFL Draft Combine despite only being 224 pounds.

The flip side is that Mondon looked incredible in 2023 — a prototype modern weak-side linebacker (even as he was often playing inside), packing the kind of power of someone 25 pounds heavier and the sideline-to-sideline ability of someone 25 pounds lighter.

The Niners can take a swing here, as they boast an extra pick. They should take it.

Pick No. 112: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

Good at everything and great at nothing, Ferguson is a high-floor prospect who moved all around the formation and showed NFL-worthy quality across the board. He fits the bill as a move tight end with No. 1 potential at the NFL level. That’s exactly what the 49ers need with George Kittle being at the stage of his career where 17 games isn’t going to happen. Ferguson also allows the Niners to play him as a fullback should they move on from Kyle Juszczyk.

Picks Nos. 138, 228 to Dallas for picks Nos. 150, 170

Pick No. 150: CJ West, DT, Indiana

This is my favorite player in the draft. All he puts on tape are winning reps on the interior thanks to impressive technique, serious pop off the line, and an even better motor. You could tell when West was off the field when you watched Indiana this past season. That’s the best compliment you can give to a defensive lineman.

There is a school of thought that if they stay at pick No. 11, the Niners can take the consensus No. 1 defensive tackle in this class — Mason Graham from Michigan. If given the option between him or both West and Nolen, I’ll take the latter.

Pick No. 170: Jake Majors, OC, Texas

Majors is the best center in this draft and was the epicenter of arguably the best offensive line in college football this past year. He’s a center-only prospect, sure, but the Niners need a center. I think he’d beat out Jake Brendel in a true competition. If the Niners were to select him, that’d be an admission the team thinks so as well.

Pick No. 189: Antwane Wells, WR, Ole Miss

A bit late to wait for a position of need, yes, but wide receiver is a position where you can wait in the draft — you’d need 15 rounds to fit all the talent at this position onto a board.

What I like about Wells is that he’d be a replacement for Ray-Ray McCloud. The Niners were never able to replace the venerable and unspectacular depth slot receiver, and boy, could they have used him last year.

Wells can play outside or inside. He’s willing to block (even if I wouldn’t call him great at it) and has good after-the-catch skills (albeit lacking catch skills relative to the top prospects in this class).

In short, he looks like a receiver who can have a couple of really nice games a year. He’s a pro. The Niners need to add a few of those this offseason with Brandon Aiyuk injured and Deebo Samuel likely to be cut.

Pick No. 255: Brady Cook, QB, Mizzou

He was not the biggest, fastest, or strongest, but he kept finding ways to win — a lot — at his under-the-radar Midwest school, lifting the program to new heights amid a severe deficit compared to its conference peers.

Remind you of anyone?