49ers express pre-draft interest in Penn State DB Jalen Kimber

The San Francisco 49ers could target defensive backs in the 2025 NFL Draft after losing All-Pros Charvarius Ward and Talanoa Hufanga to free agency. One potential target is Penn State's Jalen Kimber.

During a recent interview with Justin Melo of The Draft Network, Kimber revealed that the 49ers were among several teams he met with at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January.

"I met with like 90% of the teams in the league at the East-West Shrine," Kimber said. "I met with more than 20 teams for sure. I really enjoyed my meetings with the Panthers. We had a good meeting. The Giants, Chargers, Browns, 49ers, Broncos, and Bills as well. I had some pretty good conversations with those teams."

Kimber (6-0, 170) wasn't among the draft prospects invited to the NFL Scouting Combine last month. However, he'll have a chance to impress scouts at Penn State's Pro Day on March 28, hoping to showcase his versatility as a potential nickel corner.

"My versatility is something I've expressed to every team I've spoken with," Kimber said. "I can play in the slot. I just haven't been asked to do it a lot."

Kimber played 16 games as a senior in 2024, registering a career-high 37 tackles (one for a loss) and three passes defensed. It was his only season at Penn State after previous stints with Florida and Georgia.

"Deciding to go to Penn State was the best option for me," Kimber said. "The coaching staff at Penn State helped me out a lot. They helped me improve as a player. I feel like the staff was super helpful. That's something I needed."