Seven-round mock drafts are always fascinating and challenging, attempting to project every pick for every team. Pro Football Network analyst Dalton Miller recently released one, predicting the San Francisco 49ers will address both sides of the ball with their first two selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Following a disappointing 6-11 campaign, the 49ers hold the 11th overall pick and aim to bolster their roster for a return to championship form. According to Miller, that process begins with adding to the offensive line. He projects general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan to select LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell in the first round.
"Campbell might have a fate similar to Tyler Smith's in Dallas," Miller wrote. "Campbell played left tackle in college, but his lack of length and trouble protecting the arc against explosive, technical speed and bend could make him a guard candidate at the next level."
Campbell earned a career-high 80.6 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus during the 2024 season, surrendering two sacks and 18 pressures over 557 pass-blocking snaps. However, his 69.7 run-blocking grade marked a career low, contributing to a career-low overall 72.2 offensive grade.
The LSU standout twice earned first-team All-SEC honors (2023, 2024) and was a consensus All-American in 2024. Miller highlights Campbell's versatility, noting he could begin his NFL career at left guard before eventually succeeding Trent Williams at left tackle.
"In a league severely lacking talent at offensive tackle, it is foolish to disregard a blocker without giving them the chance to fail inside," Miller added.
In the second round, Miller predicts the 49ers will address their defensive backfield, selecting Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas with the 43rd overall pick.
"Playing cornerback well is as much about being a schematic fit as it is being an outrageous talent," Miller wrote. "Only the elite are completely safe from looking like a fish out of water in diverse defensive structures.
"Thomas best fits a role that lets him be an athlete. Luckily, Kyle Shanahan's (yes, his defense) should allow Thomas to do just that by working in a lot of Cover 1 and Cover 3 while avoiding too much confusing processing."
Thomas recorded a career-high 52 tackles in 2024 and posted a career-best 76.4 defensive grade. He didn't allow a touchdown during his final collegiate season, and opposing quarterbacks managed just a 50.2 NFL passer rating when targeting him.
In the third round, Miller projects the 49ers to draft Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins (75th overall) and Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller (99th overall).
In the third round, Miller projects the 49ers to draft Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins with the 75th overall pick and Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 99th overall pick.
"Collins is the best run defender in the class, and it's not particularly close," Miller noted. "Collins also brings absolutely nothing as a pass rusher, and with his arm length, violence, and athleticism, that makes him the most confusing player in the class."
Regarding Blake Miller, the analyst wrote: "Miller is as technically sound and springy as any of the pass protectors in the class. The 49ers have needed an upgrade at right tackle for a long time, and if Miller can come along a bit physically while becoming more of a presence in the run game, he could eventually be that guy in San Francisco."
Additional 49ers selections in Miller's mock draft:
- Round 4, Pick 111: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
- Round 4, Pick 137: Samuel Brown, WR, Miami (FL)
- Round 4, Pick 138: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
- Round 6, Pick 186: Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota
- Round 7, Pick 225: Dante Trader Jr., S, Maryland
- Round 7, Pick 255: Josh Kelly, WR, Texas Tech