JEFF ROMANCE/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK

San Francisco 49ers to hold top-30 visit with NFL Draft prospect who can fill hole they've had for two seasons

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated Apr 12, 2024 3:06 AM ET

The San Francisco 49ers have long since placed an emphasis on building the defensive side of the trenches in the NFL Draft.

It appears that 2024 will be no different.

The 49ers had already been reported as scheduling visits with Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus and Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland.

On Thursday, Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network reported the 49ers will visit with Florida Atlantic nose tackle Evan Anderson.

Upcoming visits for FAU DL Evan Anderson:

• Las Vegas Raiders
• San Francisco 49ers
• Cincinnati Bengals on the 16th
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 11, 2024

A likely day-three selection, Anderson delivered consistent production for the Owls.

He had 20 tackles for loss in four seasons, including a career-high eight in 2021 and 5.5 last season. Anderson had a career-high 3.5 sacks last season.

More intriguingly for the 49ers, he registered 20 run stops in 2023, putting him 16th among FBS interior defensive linemen in the 2024 draft, per Pro Football Focus.

San Francisco had huge problems stopping the run down the stretch and in the two playoff victories that took them to the Super Bowl.

Though those issues primarily concerned the edges, the 49ers evidently also want to improve up the middle, and have already made that a point of emphasis this offseason with the free agent signing of defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who last season was sixth at the position in ESPN's run stop win rate metric.

The Niners haven't had a true nose tackle since losing D.J. Jones in free agency in 2022. In meeting with Anderson, the 49ers have obvious interest in selecting a player who can fill that void.

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

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