The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, and the San Francisco 49ers wrapped up their pre-draft evaluations last week. That lengthy process included both in-person and virtual meetings with several draft prospects. According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, one of those virtual interviews was with Delaware running back Marcus Yarns.
.@Delaware_FB RB Marcus Yarns is a potential home-run hitter in the 2025 NFL Draft. Explosive speed + pass-catching upside.
Great tester! 4.45 (40), 37.5" vert, 10'2" broad.
Recent Zooms #Seahawks, #Giants, #49ers.@MarcusYarns x @TheDraftNetwork:https://t.co/7wfwmjteWl
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 21, 2025
Yarns (5-11, 193) impressed as a runner during his college career, earning an 84.5 rushing grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024 and a stellar 90.5 in 2023. Over the past two seasons, he totaled 1,781 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 269 carries (6.6 yards per carry).
He also proved to be a reliable weapon in the passing game, hauling in 63 receptions for 819 yards and 11 touchdowns over the last three seasons. Since 2022, Yarns has earned a receiving grade of at least 76.0 every year, peaking with a career-high 86.2 in 2023.
"I'm more agile than powerful, but the trait that really separates me as a running back is my ability to make explosive plays," Yarns told Melo. "I generate explosive plays both from the backfield and as a pass catcher. I'm very versatile in that aspect. That helps me separate myself."
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Yarns measured 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds. He posted solid athletic testing numbers, including a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, a 37.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-2 broad jump.
NFL.com projects Yarns to be a priority free agent. Analyst Lance Zierlein offered this assessment in his draft profile:
"Two-year starter from the FCS who needs a very specific role to have a long-term chance. Yarns was a productive three-down player at Delaware. He's a slender long-strider with good top-end speed but has very little contact balance and is not built for interior runs in the NFL. He will need to improve his route-running so he can rebrand as a change-of-pace slasher with pass-catching talent."