It wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if the 49ers wind up meeting with all of the top defensive prospects in the lead-up to the 2019 draft. They already met with Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary, and then Tuesday they met with Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams at the school’s Pro Day according to Ian Rapoport.
It’s difficult to envision where Williams would play on a team that expressed so much confidence in fifth-year veteran Arik Armstead. Williams is unequivocally the top interior defensive lineman in the class, and he figures to make an immediate impact as a pass rusher from that position.
That just isn’t one of the 49ers’ top needs going into this year’s draft. Williams would have to play nose tackle in base packages, and the tackle spot next to DeForest Buckner in sub packages figures to be occupied by Armstead.
San Francisco is in an interesting position picking second, and a meeting with Williams may be able to be chalked up to due diligence. On the other hand, if they believe he has Aaron Donald-type potential, that becomes hard to pass on in the event edge rusher Nick Bosa goes first overall.
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