get closer and closer to the 2019 NFL Combine. The 2019 defensive tackle class is deep http://www.49erslockerroom.com/authentic-kwon-alexander-jersey , with two likely hearing their name called within the top ten selections. The San Francisco 49ers currently own the second overall pick. As far as the defensive line is concerned DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas are locks. Joining them are Earl Mitchell, Sheldon Day, Dekoda Watson, Ronald Blair, and Jullian Taylor. Arik Armstead’s fifth year option was picked up, but it remains to be seen what his future is with the team. The same could be said about Cassius Marsh. Let’s jump into the rankings. What are YOUR thoughts on this defensive tackle class? Do one or more of them have a future in red and gold? Who else are you excited to see perform at the NFL Combine? Please share in the comments below!Please Note: While Rashan Gary is a versatile player along the defensive line, he is not listed in the defensive tackle rankings, but will be listed in EDGE rankings.1. Quinnen Williams, DT, No. 92 – AlabamaHeight: 6’3” - Weight: 289 - 40 Time: 4.872018 Stats: 71 Tackles, 19.5 Tackles for a loss, 8 Sacks, 1 Pass Deflected.Quinnen Williams was a relentless force along the defensive line for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season. Has an outstanding first step and initial burst off the snap. Has a high motor and uses his hands to generate power and push blockers into a backwards pedal along the line of scrimmage. Williams has a variety of rush moves and techniques that he utilizes effectively throughout the duration of a game. This can cause blockers to get off balance. Williams often requires double team attention (which doesn’t often stop him), which allows his fellow defensive lineman to find holes and gaps to create disruption and breakup plays, particularly on passing downs. Williams plays with a physical, bull-rush mentality. His speed and athleticism are off the charts. Explodes out of his stance and makes initial contact immediately. Will often win the one to one matchup, and uses his physical strength to his advantage.Williams has a natural blend of power and flexibility. Gifted with strong football instincts and anticipation. There is a little concern about his length, particularly his arms. However, his handwork technique has been clean and superb throughout the course of the season. Forget that he is a redshirt sophomore鈥illiams was asked to switch to nose tackle, and so, has been performing at this elite level out of his natural position. Overall, Williams has incredible body control, devasting speed, and overwhelming strength who is a threat on every down he plays. Williams is a Top 5 lock in 2019 NFL Draft.Draft Projection: Top 5 Overall Selection2. Ed Oliver, DT, No. 10 – HoustonHeight: 6’3”- Weight: 275 - Projected 40 Time: 4.722018 Stats: 54 Tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss Nick Bosa Jersey White , 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes deflectedOliver was an absolute force on the Cougars defensive line in 2018. No other lineman dealt with more double team and even triple team coverages than Oliver. Oliver does an incredible job winning the first contact. Will fight and play through gaps at an elite level. Oliver has a high motor and is explosive off the ball. Has exceptional flexibility and is constantly creating disruption and chaos in the opponent’s backfield. Is able to follow through tight angles, while twisting his body and adjust his frame when rushing the passer. Many times, Oliver was fighting through initial contact with ease against blockers along the line of scrimmage. Breaks up plays well with his hands, throwing up his arms in passing lanes. Oliver has a natural blend of speed and power up the middle. Because of all the attention he requires, Oliver creates positive opportunities for his teammates along the line. I expect this will continue for Oliver when he settles at the pro level. Oliver has a bright future in the NFL and I’ll be shocked if he slips outside the top fifteen.Draft Projection: Top 15 Overall Selection.3. Jeffery Simmons, DT, No. 94 - Mississippi State Height: 6’3” - Weight: 301 - 40 Time: 4.932018 Stats: 63 Tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 2 Sacks, 4 Passes DeflectedThe former five-star recruit made his presence known for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Simmons is a ruthless and violent tackler, who plays a physical brand of football. Will wrap his opponent quickly down to the ground. Plays well through his gap. This is particularly true when Simmons is rushing the quarterback. Has explosive capabilities out of his stance and his first step off the snap are sudden and carries momentum when pushing back against blockers. Simmons’ effort is relentless, and will run down ball carriers and receivers in short yardage situations. Will not let up on a play that is extending beyond the pocket. Simmons is a natural, three down defender with impressive versatility. Simmons is an intelligent pass rusher who offers great interior push. Simmons’ stock has been climbing all season long, and the five star recruit is all be assured to hear his name called on day one of the NFL Draft.Draft Projection: 1st Round4. Christian Wilkins, DT, No. 42 – ClemsonHeight: 6’3” - Weight: 312 - Projected 40 Time: 4.89 4.882018 Stats: 50 Tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 5.5 Sacks, 1 forced fumble.The senior out of Clemson hmade a big impact both on and off the field. Wilkins has good burst and speed off the snap and makes an impact and presence in the opposition’s backfield. Wilkins has a natural blend of upper and lower body strength. He is often double teamed along the line of scrimmage and makes an impact that helps his fellow defensive lineman make plays.Wilkins has demonstrated an ability to stop the run and the pass. Wilkins can be looked at as a three down defensive lineman. On tape, more often than not, Wilkins causes disruption at the point of attack. He has demonstrated his ability to rush the passer from the inside, which looks to be his natural position as he transitions to the next level. Wilkins has demonstrated continuous growth each season at Clemson. His character and leadership traits, along with his skill set make Wilkins a first-round lock in the 2019 NFL Draft.Draft Projection: 1st Round Selection5.Dre’Mont Jones, DT, No. 86 – Ohio StateHeight: 6’2” - Weight: 295 - Projected 40 Time: 4.892018 Stats: 40 Tackles Laken Tomlinson Jersey , 13 Tackles for a loss, 8.5 Sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 passed deflected.The junior had a stat filled, productive season for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Watching his tape, I really like Jones’ burst and initial first step off the snap. Demonstrates great quickness and effective speed to beat blockers along the line of scrimmage. Jones has strong and reliable hands when rushing the passer. Has the ability to break through initial contact at the line when rushing the quarterback. However, he needs better hand technique as a run defender, an area he will need to polish up at the next level. His range and ability to create pressure, even when the play extends beyond the pocket is a sight to see. On multiple occasions this season, Jones did not let up, chasing the passer well outside the pocket. When rushing the passer, Jones was inconsistent dropping his pads. I do like his flexibility, and has demonstrated the ability to bend and find tricky angles when penetrating on the initial rush. Jones has great football instincts and awareness on the field. His combine and pro day may be the difference between a first and second round selection.Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round SelectionNotable Players to WatchDexter Lawrence, DT, No. 90 - ClemsonHeight: 6’4”- Weight: 351 - Projected 40 Time: 4.982018 Stats: 36 Tackles, 7 Tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 Passes deflected, 1 fumble recovery.Jerry Tillery, DT, No. 99 - Notre DameHeight: 6’6” - Weight: 304 - Projected 40 Time: 4.802018 Stats: 28 Tackles, 8.5 Tackles for a loss, 7 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles. The San Francisco 49ers have some free agency decisions to make, but one of the more interesting is running back and special teams standout Raheem Mostert. He is a restricted free agent, which affords the 49ers some control, but his particular situation raises a question for the team.Mostert entered the NFL in 2015 as an undrafted free agent. A player accrues a season toward free agency if he is on full pay status for six or more regular season games. In his rookie season http://www.49erslockerroom.com/authentic-bradley-pinion-jersey , he was waived twice, but appeared in ten games between three teams. He appeared in only three games in 2016, but then appeared in 11 games in 2017 and nine in 2018. Each of the last two seasons ended with him placed on injured reserve.The 49ers will be able to place a tender on Mostert, although they can also choose to non-tender him and make him an unrestricted free agent. Mostert has been a special teams standout the past two seasons and showed some serious skill as a running back this past season, so they are almost certain to tender him if they don’t agree to a multi-year extension before then.Where it gets interesting is how much the 49ers are willing to tender Mostert. They can use a first round tender, a second round tender, or an original round tender. If they use a tender, then a team signs him to an offer sheet and the 49ers don’t want to match it, the first and second round tenders result in that draft pick as compensation. Since Mostert entered the NFL as a UDFA, an original round tender is simply a right of first refusal on the contract.If the 49ers place a first round tender on Mostert, the one-year deal that comes with it is for $4,429,000. A second round tender nets a one-year contract for $3,110,000. An original round tender nets a one-year contract for $2,035,000. The 49ers paid Mostert $705,000 for the 2018 season.Mostert is one of the best special teams players in the NFL, but this past year we also saw him emerge as an intriguing presence in the ground game. From Week 6 to Week 9, he rushed for 250 yards, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. He broke his arm in that last game, but it was an unexpected development seeing him emerge the way he did.Running back value has been decreasing in recent years, so it is possible there won’t be much of a market for Mostert. And yet, placing the original round tender opens the market at least a little bit. The 49ers tender decision might tell us something about how they view Mostert in the bigger picture. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida are atop the running back depth chart, but maybe this turns into more of a trio of backs in 2019. At the very least, they could view Mostert as a very capable backup worth bringing back for a sizable pay raise.