San Francisco 49ers (Last Year: 6-11)
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: The 49ers lost tons of talent this offseason, namely at wide receiver, guard, defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, and safety. All of these positions must be addressed. In general, it would be best for San Francisco to draft the top player available because if Christian McCaffrey can return to full strength, the team will have a great chance of making the playoffs, given how ridiculously easy the schedule is.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: The 49ers had a golden opportunity to draft the best player available when Tyler Warren and Jalon Walker fell to them when they slipped out of the top 10. Instead, they settled for Mykell Williams. While Williams should be an effective pass rusher for them, it was disappointing to see the front office pass on top talent.
The rest of San Francisco’s draft class was equally underwhelming. The 49ers made 11 draft selections, and yet none of them scored higher than a B+. Two of the grades were a C-, and there was even a dreaded Millen (F) grade when the 49ers used a pick on a UDFA talent at No. 138 overall.
The one good thing that can be said about the 49ers’ draft class as that the team largely focused on the important positions. The top two choices were used to address the defensive line, while other early selections addressed other weak areas of the defense. The offensive line, however, was neglected until late on Saturday.
This draft class echoes the rest of San Francisco’s offseason. The 49ers disappointed their fans with what transpired in free agency, and the draft was just a continuation of that.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
11. Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia – B- Grade
I thought there was a chance Mykel Williams would slip because he was deemed as safe, but not as someone who had a lot of upside. This pick makes sense from a needs perspective, but it would make so much more sense if the 49ers didn’t have Jalon Walker or Tyler Warren available.
43. Alfred Collins, DT, Texas – B+ Grade
It comes as no surprise that the 49ers have used their first two picks on their defensive line. They got their pass rusher with their first pick, and now they have their run stuffer. Alfred Collins fits the range in the middle of the second round and potentially fills a big need.
75. Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State – C- Grade
Nick Martin was expected to be a value pick later in the draft because of his injury history. He’s a tackling machine when healthy, but the 49ers reached for him, as they could have taken him in the fifth round. They’re filling a need potentially, but there were better value options.
100. Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky – C- Grade
Upton Stout is a small cornerback who projects as a slot cornerback in the NFL. He’s a gritty player, but I had him projected late in the draft, and I didn’t hear of anyone slotting him in the third round. The 49ers needed help for their secondary, but this is a reach.
113. C.J. West, DT, Indiana – B+ Grade
The 49ers need as many defensive linemen as possible, and they got a solid one. C.J. West is a very strong defensive lineman who will be able to stop the run. I thought he would be chosen in this range.
138. Jordan Watkins, WR, Ole Miss – MILLEN Grade
This is the second player drafted I didn’t have in my mock draft. In fact, I didn’t have him in consideration. This is a colossal reach. San Francisco could have made this pick in Round 6 or 7.
147. Jordan James, RB, Oregon – B+ Grade
Surprise, surprise, the 49ers drafted a running back. Kyle Shanahan loves adding to the position, and he was able to snag a solid runner who was projected by some to be a fourth-round prospect. I had him a bit later, but this is still a solid pick, especially given Christian McCaffrey’s durability issues.
160. Marques Sigle, S, Kansas State – B+ Grade
The 49ers lost Talanoa Hufanga, so safety was an area they needed to address. Marques Sigle has high upside as the fastest player at the position at the combine. He makes sense in this range, so I like this pick.
227. Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana – B- Grade
Kurtis Rourke was a borderline draftable prospect. He has plus size, but doesn’t have an NFL skill set. It’s the seventh round, however, so I can’t grade anything too poorly.
249. Connor Colby, G, Indiana – B Grade
Connor Colby makes sense in this range. He has plenty of experience and should be able to compete for a backup job for the 49ers, who have offensive line issues.
252. Junior Bergen, WR, Montana – C Grade
Junior Bergen was not expected to be drafted, but we have six picks remaining. I would have wanted to see the 49ers address something other than receiver here, but it’s not a big deal.
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