2015 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers add to defensive line with Malcom Brown from Texas

The San Francisco 49ers have arguably gone through more turmoil this offseason than any other NFL team. First was the Jim Harbaugh debacle that ended up in the head coach leaving for Michigan and being replaced by Jim Tomsula. Then, inside linebacker Patrick Willis retired for religious reasons. Then star rookie linebacker Chris Borland retired as well, citing concerns about long-term head injuries. Plus, long-time defensive lineman Justin Smith is pulling a Brett Favre and hasn't given the Niners' front office a firm answer on whether or not he is retiring.

All told, it's a bit of a mess in Santa Clara, and what the 49ers do in the draft is anyone's guess. However, our Josh VanDyke got the unenviable task of channeling GM Trent Baalke, and made the pick for the 49ers at #15 overall in our APC Mock NFL Draft. With that pick, the 49ers select...

Malcom Brown, defensive tackle, Texas

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 319 pounds
Combine bench press: 26 reps

Here's Josh with the pick:

The 49ers have had a rough offseason and the loss of Justin Smith might be the biggest blow. Brown would be the best available option for them at this spot in the draft as Brown has the potential to be an instant starter at the next level.

His quickness off the ball and athleticism made him very disruptive as a pass rusher for the Texas Longhorns in 2014 as he led the team in both sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (13). Brown has flashes of elite-level power and hand quickness at the point of attack, but sometimes lacks effort in finishing out plays when his initial pass rush moves fail. His natural instincts, athleticism, and ability to play in either 4-3 or 3-4 defenses make him a very valuable commodity to just about any team.