Why 49ers select Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen in Matt Maiocco’s NFL mock draft 5.0

The 49ers' draft history under general manager John Lynch has included some misses with their top picks and some incredible finds deeper into the three-day event.This year, there is not much room for error."We got 11 draft choices, and we got to make them count," Lynch said at the recent NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida."I think probably more so than in the recent past, there are slots we have to fill. That's both daunting but it's also invigorating and exciting."The 49ers have mostly built their nucleus through the draft, landing Pro Bowl players, such as tight end George Kittle, linebacker Fred Warner and quarterback Brock Purdy after the first two rounds.Aside from edge rusher Nick Bosa and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers have not had much success in the first round. The team missed badly on quarterback Trey Lance, defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, defensive end Solomon Thomas and linebacker Reuben Foster.This year, the 49ers need their early picks in the 2025 NFL Draft to pay immediate dividends. And that begins with the No. 11 overall selection.Here is NBC Sports Bay Area's Mock Draft, 5.0, as the 49ers look to add pieces to their shockingly thin defensive...