49ers Advised to Draft This Defensive Tackle on Day 2

On Day 2 of the NFL draft, the 49ers have been advised by Pro Football Focus to target this defensive tackle.

Nov 2, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive tackle T.J. Sanders (90) celebrates a stop against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

It's no secret that the 49ers need a ton of help on their defensive line.

At least a few draft picks will be spent on players at the position. There will most likely be one taken on Day 2 of the draft. However, it has to be the right fit for the 49ers since they run a wide-nine scheme.

Pro Football Focus has advised the 49ers to target South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders. Here is their explanation of why the 49ers should draft Sanders on Day 2 of the draft.

"The 49ers need a disruptive presence on the interior, so targeting a disruptive 3-technique like Sanders makes too much sense. His wicked first step and lateral quickness — due to his basketball background — allowed him to penetrate at a high level, contributing to his 90.3 PFF pass-rush grade versus true pass sets last season."

Sanders sounds like a solid pick for the 49ers. What they need is defensive linemen who can be impactful as a pass rusher.

However, what makes Sanders a great fit is his first step and lateral quickness. The 49ers heavily value a defensive lineman's get-off time from the moment the ball is snapped.

And the fact that Sanders has exceptional lateral quickness means he can fit in the wide-nine. However, it doesn't sound like he provides much help against the run.

If he is fast and efficient as a pass rusher, it can mean he can be bullied against the run or get erased if an offensive line aggressively meets him.

Whoever the 49ers take on Day 2 needs to be impactful. Maybe Sanders is that guy even if his run defense isn't noteworthy.