The San Francisco 49ers arrived at the 2026 NFL Combine with more than routine scouting objectives.
With critical defensive line depth potentially walking out the door in free agency, the front office’s evaluation process carries heightened urgency this offseason.

In 2025, interior defenders Jordan Elliott and Kevin Givens combined to log 579 defensive snaps.
That accounted for 53.4 percent of San Francisco’s total defensive workload, a substantial figure for rotational linemen.

Both players are now set to test the free agent market when the new league year opens.
That reality forces the 49ers to confront a potential depth vacuum along the interior of their defensive front.

While veteran replacements could emerge through free agency, draft capital often provides longer term roster stability.
For a franchise that has consistently invested in defensive line development, the draft once again appears central to the blueprint.

According to reports from the Combine, one intriguing prospect has already entered the conversation.
Zxavian Harris of Ole Miss Rebels revealed he met with San Francisco representatives during early evaluation sessions.

Harris, just 22 years old, offers rare physical dimensions.
At 6 foot 8 and approximately 330 pounds, he presents a developmental profile that naturally commands attention in a league prioritizing interior size and length.

His path began as a four star recruit out of Germantown High School in Gluckstadt, Mississippi.
He committed to Ole Miss ahead of the 2022 season, stepping into the SEC spotlight with considerable expectations.

Across four collegiate seasons, Harris appeared in 52 games and compiled 123 total tackles.
He added 5.5 sacks, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, and one interception, demonstrating flashes of disruptive versatility.

While those raw statistics do not immediately project elite pass rushing production, they illustrate consistent availability and steady growth.
For NFL evaluators, durability and incremental development can outweigh isolated splash numbers.

San Francisco’s defensive philosophy historically emphasizes rotational depth and interior pressure versatility.
Long term roster construction underlines the importance of layering young prospects behind established starters rather than relying solely on veteran stopgaps.

The 49ers already invested two draft selections in interior defenders during the 2025 draft cycle.
They selected Alfred Collins in the second round and C.J. West in the fourth, reinforcing commitment to trench fortification.

However, roster building along the defensive front rarely stops at two additions.
The physical toll of NFL interior play demands continuous pipeline development, especially for teams with postseason aspirations.

Harris profiles as a potential Day 3 selection, likely valued more for projection than immediate starting readiness.
At his size, coaching refinement in pad level, leverage discipline, and hand placement will determine his professional ceiling.

Length at 6 foot 8 creates natural passing lane disruption.
Even without double digit collegiate sack production, interior linemen of that frame can collapse pockets simply through reach and mass.

San Francisco’s defensive structure under Raheem Morris further elevates the importance of interior depth.
Morris’ system emphasizes gap integrity and disciplined rotational waves to preserve late game explosiveness.

If Elliott and Givens depart in free agency, early snap redistribution will follow.
Young defenders could be forced into expanded roles unless the front office supplements the depth chart through calculated draft investments.

The Combine meeting signals preliminary interest rather than guaranteed selection.
Teams routinely conduct broad interviews to assess football intelligence, personality fit, and schematic adaptability.

Still, early dialogue matters.
It indicates Harris is firmly on San Francisco’s evaluative radar as they map contingency plans for the 2026 season.

The broader defensive line market also shapes strategic timing.
Free agency may inflate prices for rotational interior linemen, making cost controlled rookie contracts increasingly attractive.

San Francisco has historically thrived when balancing veteran anchors with young, ascending talent.
Adding another developmental interior body could maintain that formula while hedging against market volatility.

For Harris, the opportunity to join a playoff tested roster would provide structured mentorship and competitive exposure.
Landing in a system already prioritizing defensive line depth could accelerate his adaptation curve.

As draft boards begin crystallizing, the 49ers’ interior outlook remains fluid.
The departure of more than half last season’s rotational snaps would create immediate urgency to reinforce the trenches.

Whether through free agency, Day 2 capital, or a calculated Day 3 project like Harris, the objective remains consistent.
Sustain interior strength, preserve rotational flexibility, and protect the integrity of a defense built on physical dominance.

The Combine meeting may ultimately become a footnote or the origin of a roster evolution.
Either way, it underscores that San Francisco’s front office is already positioning itself to address a critical structural need before it becomes a liability.