49ers hosting Ohio State OT Josh Simmons and Tennessee DE James Pearce Jr. on pre-draft visits

The 49ers are widely expected to focus on the trenches in next week's draft. The defensive line lost several key contributors this offseason. Meanwhile, the offensive line remains an area in need of upgrades, particularly with the need to identify an eventual successor to veteran left tackle Trent Williams.

Simmons (6-5, 317) played in 32 collegiate games over three seasons, transferring from San Diego State to Ohio State in 2023, per Sports Reference. However, his 2024 campaign was cut short due to a season-ending knee injury in mid-October. The 49ers will likely gather more information on his recovery progress during today's visit.

Simmons ranks 18th on Pro Football Focus' big board. Despite logging only 306 snaps in 2024, he earned an impressive 82.0 pass-blocking grade and a career-best 74.4 overall grade. He allowed just one pressure and did not surrender a sack all season.

General manager John Lynch also met with Simmons during the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

James Pearce Jr. also visiting

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports that Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. is also visiting the 49ers today.

The team previously met with Pearce at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Pearce (6-5, 245) has recorded 19.5 career sacks over three seasons, including 17.5 in the past two years. In 2024, he tallied 38 tackles (13 for a loss), 7.5 sacks, one pass defensed, and one forced fumble in 13 games, per Sports Reference.

He earned an 87.1 or better defensive grade from Pro Football Focus in each of the past two seasons. His 10 sacks in 2023 helped him notch a 91.9 pass-rush grade, which dipped slightly to a still-respectable 89.4 mark in 2024.

Additional visits

Rapoport also reports that Tennessee defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott is visiting with the 49ers today. Additionally, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes that Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant is in Santa Clara for a pre-draft visit.

Both visits had been previously reported.