The Draft Network's Ryan Fowler released his first mock draft following the initial wave of NFL free agency moves. He believes he has a clearer grasp of team needs heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
The San Francisco 49ers' needs grew significantly after they lost several key veterans to other teams, including along the defensive line. Fowler projects the 49ers addressing the trenches with the 11th overall pick, but he has them doing so on the offensive side of the ball.
Fowler has the 49ers using their first-round pick to select Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou, providing an immediate upgrade over Colton McKivitz at right tackle and an eventual successor to Trent Williams at left tackle.
"Armand Membou would slot in right away at his natural spot at right tackle, only to bump to the opposite side when Trent Williams calls it a career," Fowler wrote. "Whether you view him as a tackle or guard, Membou blends technicality with an elite athletic profile along the front five."
Membou's draft stock rose at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he posted a 4.91-second 40-yard dash and impressed with a 9-foot-7 broad jump and a 34-inch vertical jump—all at 332 pounds.
According to NFL Research, Membou's 4.91-second 40-yard dash was the fastest by any offensive lineman measuring at least 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds since 2003. He also became one of only four offensive linemen ever to post a 30-inch vertical and run a sub-5.00 40-yard dash at 315 pounds or heavier. Interestingly, one of the others to do so was Williams, the 49ers' All-Pro left tackle, who ran a 4.88-second 40 and recorded a 34.5-inch vertical in 2010.
A two-year starter at Missouri, Membou earned a 90.6 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, ranking fourth nationally among collegiate offensive linemen. His run-blocking grade (87.6) and pass-blocking grade (86.6) were also strong.
Notably, over 411 pass-blocking snaps in 2024, Membou allowed just eight pressures and didn't surrender a single sack.
By selecting Membou, the 49ers could immediately bolster the right side of their offensive line while securing a long-term plan at left tackle. Membou has been a popular projected pick for the team among mock drafts.
