In what’s supposed to be a deep class for edge rushers, the 49ers could find themselves in a position to bolster an already strong pass rush. They’re due to visit with Western Kentucky DE DeAngelo Malone per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
Malone was twice a Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and the player of the game Senior Bowl for the American side.
In five college seasons he played in 62 games and posted 349 tackles, 60 tackles for loss, 34.0 sacks, one interception and nine forced fumbles. Rules based around the COVID-19 pandemic afforded Malone an additional year of eligibility for the Hilltoppers.
The remarkable thing about Malone is how consistently productive he was after his freshman campaign. He had 6.0 sacks in Year 2, then 11.5, 6.0 and 9.0 over his last three years.
While he may not have the upside of a player that goes in the first round, Malone appears to have the tools to step in and contribute right away as a pro. San Francisco can afford to swing for some high upside players in this draft, but if they believe a player like Malone can step in and contribute right away on the edge, then it makes a ton of sense to bring him in and improve the most important defensive unit.
It won’t be easy to navigate the draft to snag Malone though. He’s been popular in pre-draft meetings. The 49ers were one of at least six teams he’s either visited or will visit with coming up.
