NFL mock draft 2013: How far would Star Lotulelei fall?

I went through and updated the Niners Nation mock draft database last night, and we did not have a lot of changes. Defensive line remains the predominant area to address, while the secondary was right behind it. The next week or so will go a long way toward clarifying what the 49ers might do, but for now we can speculate.

Thus far there have not been many dramatic changes to the database, but last night I noticed an interesting mock. Matt De Lima over at FF Toolbox decided to mock Star Lotulelei to the 49ers. The big defensive tackle out of Utah stands 6'2, 311 pounds, and is a candidate for the nose tackle role the 49ers might need to fill if Isaac Sopoaga and Ricky Jean Francois both walk in free agency.

Lotulelei has been held in fairly high regard, but that changed when an echocardiogram reportedly showed a heart condition that prevented him from taking part in drills at the Combine. There has been all sorts of speculation, but we are left waiting for some additional word before people can say what his future holds.

Without more information there is a certain amount of risk wherever a team elects to take Lotulelei. At the same time, there is some serious reward potential. Mocking the Draft did not view him as a monster upside guy, but a very safe pick of a solid player. For that nose tackle role, that's sort of what the 49ers might like. Of course, for now he is no longer a "safe" pick.

If Lotulelei slipped down with the health questions, do you roll the dice or just play it safe and look elsewhere? Check out all the picks in our 40-site mock draft database.