Most mock drafts have the San Francisco 49ers selecting an offensive or defensive lineman with the No. 11 overall pick, addressing what are widely seen as the team's biggest needs heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. However, what if the 49ers take an unexpected route—similar to last year's surprise selection of wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, a move few predicted? Will they be able to pass on a talented offensive weapon if one falls to them?
In his latest mock draft for CBS Sports, Chris Trapasso projects that general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will bolster the wide receiver group at No. 11. The team traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders, and Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from a significant knee injury and likely won't be ready for Week 1.
Trapasso addresses this by projecting the selection of Tetairoa McMillan, a 6-foot-4, 219-pound wide receiver out of Arizona.
"The 49ers will look a lot different in 2025, but with another first-round receiver on board, they can still be dangerous in the NFC," Trapasso noted.
McMillan registered 84 receptions for a Big 12-leading 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns through 12 games as a senior in 2024, per Sports Reference, earning first-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Big 12 Conference honors. He posted even better numbers in 2023, hauling in 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games.
McMillan ranks third overall on Pro Football Focus' big board.
"McMillan has All-Pro potential because of his length, athleticism and football intelligence," the analytics site wrote. "He's a smooth criminal of a receiver who was the focal point of Arizona's offense. He is a unique talent who deserves to be considered in the top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft."
The 2025 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 24, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.