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49ers may use first-round pick on most loaded position group of the 2025 NFL Draft based off their latest top-30 visit
Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

The San Francisco 49ers have a whopping 11 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

That gives them the opportunity to round out their roster with young and affordable talent. The 49ers should be able to land multiple players who can make an immediate impact, especially with their first round selection at No. 11 overall.

A player who San Francisco could choose in that slot is Tennessee Volunteers edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported is meeting with the 49ers on a top-30 visit on Wednesday.

What is a top-30 visit?

A top-30 visit denotes one of the 30 prospect visits allowed for teams during the pre-draft period. The 49ers host prospects varying from potential first-round selections to those who go undrafted, providing them a glimpse into NFL life in San Francisco. Although no on-field workouts will occur, teams can utilize this opportunity to conduct meetings with coaching staff for film analysis, perform physical exams with team doctors, tour the facilities, and more.

How does Pearce fit with the 49ers?

The 49ers badly need another impact edge rusher to complement Nick Bosa, and general manager John Lynch spoke about the importance of the defensive line during the NFL league meetings a couple of weeks ago.

"We've always prided ourselves with D-line and I think it's a solid D-line class in this year's draft and it's deep too," Lynch said.

Pearce could be that guy, who is one of the fastest pass rushers in this year's draft. His first step off the line of scrimmage is lightning quick, and his long 6-foot-5 frame makes it tough for blockers to keep hands on him.

Unfortunately for Pearce, he has been slapped with the dreaded "character concerns" label. Back in December of 2023 he was arrested during a traffic stop in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was charged with speeding, driving on a suspended license, failure to present insurance, registration not properly displayed and improper window tinting. However, the charges were dropped two weeks later.

Pearce's talent is undeniable, but the 49ers will have to do their due diligence in making certain that he won't present problems off the field. Pearce and Bosa could make for a great pass rushing tandem over the next several years, and Pearce could develop into a cornerstone piece of their defense. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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