The San Francisco 49ers had a lot of problems during a disappointing 2024 season but, alongside special teams issues, none was more glaring than their maddening struggles to stop the run.

San Francisco finished 29th in Expected Points Added per play and 25th in success rate against the run in 2024, with one of their primary problems in that regard the difficulties their interior defensive linemen had holding ground.

Fixing the run defense figures to be high on the priority list for San Francisco and, in his latest three-round mock draft, A to Z Sports' Ryan Roberts has them making a big move to do just that.

Roberts has the 49ers taking edge rusher Mykel Williams out of Georgia with the 11th overall pick to provide much-needed additional edge rushing support to Nick Bosa.

But the most compelling selection of the three Roberts makes for the 49ers is the second-round pick.

He tabs Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams to the Niners with the 43rd overall pick, which may represent a steal with his stock rising following a National Championship Game in which he once again dominated the line of scrimmage to allow the Buckeyes to stifle the Notre Dame run game.

That performance was in keeping with how Williams has performed throughout his college career, with Roberts writing in his profile of the former four-star recruit:

"There may not be a better run defender in the 2025 NFL Draft class on the defensive line. In the run game, Williams has a chance to develop into one of the very best in the NFL. His floor is extremely high for just that reason, possessing high level traits to work at the point of attack, and create consistent penetration."

That is exactly what the 49ers need in the middle of the trenches and, though Williams does not add much upside as a pass rusher, San Francisco may be willing to look past that to improve their odds of making offenses one-dimensional by stopping the run consistently.

Ohio State DL Tyleik Williams (#91) with the textbook drop leg technique to hold off the double team, sheds the LT block to make the run stop. His flexibility at his size (6-3, 327) is remarkable. pic.twitter.com/rSHp4uUiLl

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 21, 2025

Roberts' final pick for the 49ers sees him go with Louisville cornerback Quincy Riley 75th overall.

The 49ers are likely to have a need at corner with Charvarius Ward seemingly set to leave in free agency. 

Riley has the size and movement skills for the position at 6ft and 195 pounds and has consistently demonstrated outstanding ball skills.

He recorded eight interceptions in three seasons with the Cardinal, and racked up 25 pass breakups in his final two years, including an ACC-leading 13 in 2024.

Between Mykel Williams and Riley, the 49er pass defense would be in a very strong position, and Tyleik Williams would give the run defense a lift it so desperately needs.

Mel Kiper’s first 2025 mock draft pick for 49ers will face a new and extremely difficult challenge if he lands with San Francisco

It can be done, but it’s very tough.