San Francisco 49ers Rookie Forecast

49ers Rookie Forecast 2025

Solid Starter

Alfred Collins, DT, Texas – Round 2

The 49ers were in need of some young talent on the edge and inside of their defensive line. Javon Kinlaw did not turn into a long-term starter, and Javon Hargrave left in the offseason. San Francisco drew on a deep class of tackle talent and landed an excellent value with Collins in the second round. Many sources thought Collins could be a late first-rounder, so the 49ers getting him in round two was a win for San Francisco.

In the ground game, Collins is a dynamite defender with instincts that lead him to make tackles and cause disruption. Over the past two seasons, Collins has been one of the best run-defending defensive linemen in college football. He is extremely stout at the point of attack. When runs come downhill at him, he is able to anchor and hold his ground. He also shows the strength to shed and tackle. Routinely, Collins pushes his way into the backfield to disrupt runs and reset the line of scrimmage. His lateral anchor is advanced for a college player, as he is tough to move at the point of attack even when taking on double teams. Collins is very strong to take on double-team bump blocks and hold his ground when getting hit from the side. Entering the NFL, Collins is a very good run defender, and he has the potential to be a huge asset as a run defender at the pro level.

As a pass rusher, Collins is a contributor and has upside, even though he did not have big sack totals in college. Collins is a power rusher who can get penetration into the backfield with a serious bull rush. He does a nice job of getting into the chest and under the pads of guard to push them backwards. With his strength, Collins is a power rusher who consistently generates a push to take away space for quarterbacks to step up in the pocket. Collins won’t be a big sack producer in the NFL, but he can be a contributor to a team’s pass rush and is not limited to being just a run-down defender.

Quickly in his pro career, Collins could be a quality starter for San Francisco. Before long, he should beat out Jordan Elliott or Kevin Givens for a starting spot, and Collins could be a rock-solid defender for the 49ers.

2024: Dominick Puni, OT
2023: Jake Moody, K
2022: Danny Gray, WR
2021: Trey Lance, QB
2020: Jauan Jennings, WR
2019: Deebo Samuel, WR
2018: Fred Warner, LB
2017: Reuben Foster, LB
2016: Joshua Garnett, G
2015: Jaquiski Tartt, S
2014: Marcus Martin, C
2013: Tank Carradine, DE

Most Likely To Bust

Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky – Round 3

Stout was a late third-round pick because he has some limitations for the NFL. At 5-foot-8, 181 pounds, he is very undersized and is limited to being a slot corner only. While he has quality speed and is gritty, I think Stout is going to get pushed around by pro receivers and could have a hard time with their physicality. As a third-round pick, he is expected to be a starter, but I think he might top out as only a backup nickel. Of the 49ers’ picks on day one and day two, I think Stout is the most likely one that won’t pan out.

2024: Renardo Green, CB
2023: None
2022: None
2021: Ambry Thomas, CB
2020: Brandon Aiyuk, WR
2019: Jalen Hurd, WR
2018: Dante Pettis, WR
2017: Solomon Thomas, DE
2016: Rashard Robinson, CB
2015: Eli Harold, OLB
2014: Chris Borland, ILB
2013: Eric Reid, S

Potential Boom Pick

Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia – Round 1

The 49ers tried Chase Young among others, but they have needed an edge rusher to emerge across from Nick Bosa. San Francisco was fortunate that Williams got to their pick as he could have gone in the top 10. With Bosa on the other side, Williams could be a boom pick for the 49ers.

In the pass rush, Williams (6-5, 265) has quickness off the ball and enough speed to turn the corner. He is an impressive power rusher who uses his length and strength to bullrush blockers backward into the pocket. At tackle or end, Williams can get into the chest of blockers and get them rolling in the wrong direction. Williams uses his length and strength to shed blocks and push defenders away. Williams also has quality vision, recognition, and ability to adjust to quarterbacks as they scramble in the pocket. Williams uses his hands and feet at the same time to battle blockers. While Williams did not have big sack totals in college, he has the ability to be more productive in the NFL.

As a run defender, Williams is strong at the point of attack with physicality and impressive instincts. He is strong to hold his ground against downhill runs coming straight at him. He can stuff running lanes and shed his block to pursue outside his gap. For the NFL, Williams is a quality run defender who should be an asset to his pro defense.

Bosa will command the double teams and rolled blocking to his side, so Williams will benefit from one-on-ones. I think Williams would have had a huge 2024 season if it weren’t for his Week 1 ankle injury, which caused his numbers to be reduced. Williams has a lot of talent and upside to develop. I think he will be a boom pick for San Francisco.

2024: Ricky Pearsall, WR
2023: None
2022: Drake Jackson, DE
2021: Aaron Banks, G
2020: Javon Kinlaw, DT
2019: Nick Bosa, DE
2018: Mike McGlinchey, OT
2017: Akhello Witherspoon, CB
2016: DeForest Buckner, DE
2015: Arik Armstead, DE
2014: Carlos Hyde, RB
2013: Marcus Lattimore, RB

Future Depth Player

C.J. West, DT, Indiana – Round 4

The 49ers took advantage of a deep class of defensive tackle talent and landed a good value in West in the fourth round. In a normal year, West would have gone on day two. He is a thick, strong, ball of disruption at the point of attack. He might lack the length to be a three-down starter, but he could be a very good rotational backup that plays well in stretches. In the fourth round, I think West was an excellent value to be a good rotational backup.

2024: Jacob Cowing, WR
2023: Cameron Latu, TE
2022: Tyrion Davis-Price, RB
2021: Trey Sermon, RB
2020: Colton McKivits, OT
2019: Kaden Smith, TE
2018: Kentavius Street, DE
2017: Joe Williams, RB
2016: Jeff Driskel, QB
2015: Mike Davis, RB
2014: Bruce Ellington, WR
2013: Vance McDonald, TE