ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently identified eight teams that could benefit from trading out of their current first-round positions in the 2025 NFL Draft. While some have speculated that the San Francisco 49ers might trade up to secure a bona fide starter to replace key offseason departures, Barnwell believes the team would be better off trading down.
San Francisco's 2024 draft class was impressive, with each of their five top picks making an impact last season. However, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan haven't always been this fortunate in their draft history. They'll need to replicate that success for a second consecutive year to bounce back from a disappointing six-win season.
Barnwell first examined the 49ers' recent drafts, highlighting some concerning trends.
"The only player left on the roster from San Francisco's 2021 draft is cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, who signed an extension last year," Barnwell wrote. "Purdy was their only starter from the 2022 draft last season. Their nine picks in 2023 produced kicker Jake Moody and safety Ji'Ayir Brown, who was benched late in the year."
Lynch recently remarked that Dee Winters, another 2023 draftee, will be given a chance to compete for a starting linebacker role, potentially replacing Dre Greenlaw.
"There's still a lot of time between now and when we play, but he's a guy we like. And he's still growing as a player," Lynch said.
Barnwell then turned his attention to the 49ers' most recent draft class, arguably one of their strongest.
"The 2024 draft might project to be general manager John Lynch's best, with the 49ers adding a pair of promising mid-round picks in guard Dominick Puni and safety Malik Mustapha, while wideout Ricky Pearsall, running back Isaac Guerendo and corner Renardo Green showed promise," Barnwell wrote. "Brown and offensive lineman Spencer Burford could cycle back into the starting lineup in 2025, but that's more a product of the offseason subtractions than forcing their way into the lineup with their play."
Barnwell emphasized that the 49ers aren't giving up on the 2025 season, despite the criticism surrounding their recent roster overhaul.
"They're still going to try to compete while McCaffrey, offensive tackle Trent Williams and tight end George Kittle are around, but they need to build a new core around those veterans -- fast," Barnwell continued. "They have serious needs along the defensive and offensive lines and at cornerback."
This is why Barnwell believes trading down from No. 11 would benefit the 49ers, allowing them to add to their 11 draft selections.
Barnwell concluded, "If they can add multiple starters, they have a shot at righting the ship quickly in 2025."