San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters after Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Additionally, the three players selected on Day 2 spoke to reporters. Here is everything they said.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan
Maybe go down the list of the three guys and what jumped out to you about them?
President of Football Operations and General Manager John Lynch: "Yeah, so [DL] Alfred [Collins] he's a guy that throughout the process we just really zeroed in on him as a player and what he could provide at a spot that we needed some help and huge, huge, human being, football player, this guy's 6-5, 332 pounds and 85-inch wingspan, 35-inch arms, he's got a real skillset. We like the fact that in the pass game, he can win quickly, and we think he can develop some skills in the pass rush. He's really adept at batting balls down. He's got just, I think he affects the quarterback in a big way but can be a real presence in the run game. [LB] Nick Martin the linebacker, he's a run and hit player. He fits our style of physicality and playing the game the right way. Two-time captain at Oklahoma State, just had our type of player all over it. You know, swarms to the football and you feel him on the field, not the biggest guy but has long arms that kind of mimics [Denver Broncos LB] Dre [Greenlaw] in a lot of ways. So, that's high praise and he's got a long way to go to show that he can be like that, but that was a guy that was reminiscent of that. And then the last guy [DB] Upton Stout, I think [49ers area scout] Warren Ball, our scout who scouted him said it best, he's got the heart of a lion, and he's got a lot of qualities we really like and I think translate well to the nickel position. I played with, [Pro Football Hall of Fame CB] Ronde Barber and these guys, Upton, I don't know him that well, he came on a 30 visit and feisty is the word I would describe to his play, his demeanor. And he's got a lot of juice that was as good a call as we've ever had, calling a kid letting him know. Yeah, I think he's still saying, 'let's do it'. So that was fun and good day for the Niners."
Would you like to ideally make it so DB Deommodore Lenoir can just stay outside?
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan: "Possibly. I mean, we're going to still play it out. I think [DB Deommodore Lenoir] DMo is great inside, I think he's great outside. We probably see Upton definitely as an inside player. So, that was a big need. The way it fell, especially in the draft, but DMo can do either, but I think it's easier for a guy when he can stay at one spot. So, we will work that through OTAs and training camp and see how it ends up."
All four of the picks so far, defensive players, pretty easy to determine. Was that kind of predetermine, you were going to do that, basically go all defense in these first two days?
KS: "We hoped so. I mean, you always want to address your bigger needs, but you don't just draft to address needs, it's got to fit right. So, we hoped it played out that way because we needed to do that. And starting with the first pick to the next three, it all worked out that way and we were able to fill probably our biggest needs on the team right now."
JL: "Yeah, one cool thing, I think, it's not like Kyle scripting 24 offensive plays. I think in a draft you could play around, we do plenty of it, but much like a script in offense, it's third down or it's situational. The same thing happens in a draft. But I would tell you that with [DL] Mykel [Williams], Alfred and Nick, those were the guys we wanted. Those are the slots we wanted. And so that's pretty cool when it works out that way. And Upton, we knew we wanted a nickel and there were a number of guys in play, and he ended up, and he was a guy we had a lot of affinity for and so, it was really fortunate that he was still there at 100. It was getting a little hairy, but he hung on. So, that was awesome."
You guys compared LB Nick Martin to Denver Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw a little bit, but he also said that he saw Greenlaw and LB Fred Warner as like a dynamic duo. He also said that he studied Fred Warner for a long time. I think that he said that's the only jersey he owned, is a Fred Warner jersey. Knowing that, do you guys see the possibility of that same type of tandem between the two of them?
KS: "I mean, that's as special of a tandem to me as I've been around. So, I mean, that's a lot, but I mean that's what you hope for. And I think Dre is one of the best run and hit linebackers that I've ever been around and probably the best in the league at it. And when we looked at the college tape, we felt this was the guy who was the best in college at that way. And it was cool just picking up the phone, just like what you said it, I might've told him, I was like, 'Hey, we lost a big hitter.' And he goes, 'Coach, I already know. I already know I can do that. Like, that's where I wanted to be.' So, it was just, I mean, what you said is accurate, he was, he knew all about us and I think he was just as excited to come here as we are to have him."
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has very concrete ideas of what he needs for his scheme. How much input did he have on these picks?
JL: "Saleh's got a lot of input. We always kind of refresh as a staff on what we're looking for. I think the impressive thing about Saleh, we have a system and the core and the fundamentals of that stay consistent, but hopefully we're always evolving. I think Robert's really into that and we do a good job. He does a nice job of communicating that. Kyle's involved on the defensive side, I think it's one thing we've tried to pride ourselves on being very clear with what we want, the traits at each position. And that helps come Draft time. Our scouts, continuity that we've had for a long time gives them a lot of confidence in going out and finding the right kind of players. And I think Alfred, the length that he and Mykel have, that's something we've been coveting for a while and to have that now. But I think they're both guys that move fairly well. So that's exciting for us."
KS: "We've been here nine years and Saleh was first to come with us. We've changed coaches a few times but our system not just schematically, but the way we do the Draft is that doesn't change. It's extremely important what the scouts say and what they find and what they present to us. It's extremely important what the position coaches find and it's extremely important what the coordinators kind of relay to me and kind of how I interview all them. And then I balance it out with the scouts and with John and how we all come to a conclusion on stuff. But we've been doing this for nine years together and having a new coordinator that's not a new coordinator because he's been here the past, kind of made it a very smooth, easy deal for us."
Do you see all these guys, especially the first three are Day One starters. I know it's always competition, but are you drafting them to be Day One starters?
JL: "Yeah, we have aspirations when you're drafting Day One and Two, you'd love for that. But these guys, everything is earned in this league. And I think that's the biggest principle and it has to be and it's the way you want it. And so these guys will have to earn it like everyone else. We think they all have qualities that can lend to be starters, but there's a lot of competition, a lot of good football players that are already here."
Couldn't help but notice some similarities between Nick Martin's athletic score and S Malik Mustapha's. I know they're at different positions, he's probably about 10 pounds lighter, but I know you've had a lot of linebackers with safety backgrounds. Is there this increased push toward this adaptability on the backend to give Robert versatility with what he can call there?
JL: "Well, I think one thing we look for, we play a lot of zone defense. How fast can you get back, plant your eyes on the quarterback and break? And then go do some damage when you do break and how fast can you close? And you guys see that with Malik, right? He sees it and he goes and gets it and Nick Martin has some similar qualities. So, albeit different positions, those are the type of players we like."
It's not terribly unusual to see 220-pound linebackers anymore, but when you have a guy who is a run-hit, 220-pound linebacker, how do you how much do you weigh like, can this guy hold up? Can he be durable in the NFL?
JL: "He had a knee injury last year, but I think other than that, been a fairly healthy guy. So, you always weigh that, but that's why you go get big guys like Alfred in front of him. I think it's a nice combination and that's, I think, what I was alluding to, the style of football that he plays. But one thing about Dre, Dre was kind of similar size, but had long arms and so 32-inch arms is long for that, for a five-11 guy. And that's a good equation. It helps keep lineman off you and all that and powerlifter in high school, some of those things that, I think, help him out with the way he plays."
Did Collins have a medical issue too? They said he was in a boot at Pro Day. JL:
"He was in a boot at Pro Day. You're right, he was. He had a couple of things that he worked through, but he played through it and he had a really good senior year."
For a lot of different reasons, you guys have said goodbye to a lot of players this offseason. Haven't had a lot of additions. How nice is it to be getting players in, players you picked, players of a lot of talent that you guys believe in?
KS: "Oh, I told John, today is the first day I kind of exhaled since free agency. You lose a lot of guys so you just, for whenever that happened, two months ago, a month ago, a month and a half, but you come into work and you look at your board and there are a lot of empty spots. You're studying the Draft, but you don't know how it's going to pan out. And there are a lot of empty spots there that we would love to fill, but if they're not there then you go other positions and stuff. So, I was really hoping that we could fill out a lot of those spots and we did today. Which, that's the start of it, but you've got to have some people there and now it's to add some competition. And hopefully we add some more tomorrow. But it definitely was a good feeling to add some guys here, because we lost a number – more than we ever have before."
Going into Day Three, you still have a lot of picks to work with. How assuring is it that a lot of your plan up to this point has kind of worked out and what kind of confidence does it give you to maybe play around with some things?
JL: "It's a good foundation. This was a huge weekend for our organization. We love our core of guys, but there's a lot of opportunity on this roster right now and it's also a lot of necessity, I think, to infuse some youth and some young players and some quality young players. I think this draft, we felt like that was the case, that there'd be a lot of quality starters through Day Two and into Day Three. And that's how it played out. And we were fortunate to get the guys that we did. We've got a lot of work still to do. And Kyle said it yesterday, sometimes you can think, like when you're trading, 'Well it's just a seventh.' Well, like he said yesterday, it could be [WR] Jauan Jennings, it could be [QB] Brock Purdy. So, you'd never take these things for granted. And the same goes for our free agents. We had our free agent meeting today, talking about how we pair a scout and a coach and a financial guy so we can go to work. And when you think of the [RB] Matt Breidas and [Minnesota Vikings RB Jordan] JP Masons and [Houston Texans LB] Azeez Al-Shaairs. There are a lot of success stories here and so we've got to keep doing work."
Sometimes on Day Three, there are veteran trades that finally go through because the Draft is finishing up. But is anything like that on the horizon?
JL: "We don't have any of those conversations going on right now. We're kind of focused on this, but always open to listen and making calls and things like that."
Do you see any similarities between Upton Stout and a young former NFL CB K'Wuan Williams?
JL: "Yes. Good call."
KS: "Yes."
There was a report that TE George Kittle was in the building. Has he reported? KS:
"He was here today, yeah. I got to hang out with him for a little bit. I worked out with the team, so it was cool."
Was there any consideration, did you have to think about maybe an offensive player who was kind of drifting around? Not anyone specific, but was there some thought about drafting a playmaker or anything like that?
KS: "Always. It just, it's how it unfolds and you've got to compare it to who is the best player and what needs are and all that. But it was close at a number of times, but I think ideally, we would've liked to have seen it go the way that it did. But if there was ever something there that was too good to pass, you don't hesitate to pivot."
Where you guys, where are you guys at swing tackle right now? Is OL Spencer Burford, OL Austen Pleasants, are those guys possibilities at that spot?
KS: "Yeah, everyone is a possibility right now. Everyone who is listed as O-Lineman has a spot. We had 73 and now we have 77, so that means we've got room for 13 more."
DT Alfred Collins
Not much time has passed since your name was called. What was that moment like for you?
"That was amazing, an amazing feeling. To be able to get the opportunity to play again, win some more games. Man, it was amazing being with all my family. Everybody that helped me along the way. It was fantastic. I don't even have words."
What kind of interaction did you have with the 49ers in the run up to the Draft? "It
was just getting to know me, getting to know me as a person because they see the player on the field, but they just wanted to see who they were bringing in the locker room. So that's really it."
Was this a place that you had kind of eyeballed, thought that this was a legitimate possibility for you?
"I was open to wherever. They're taking the chance on me, not going to be a mistake. So,
I'm just blessed."
You said they wanted to see what you bring to the locker room. What do you bring to the locker room?
"What I bring to the locker room, a competitive mindset. I'm ready to learn from those that have done it before me. I'm ready to come in and do whatever I can to win games and I'm going to be a good teammate to my teammates."
Have you met defensive line coach Kris Kocurek before, or did you meet him during this process or talk to him?
"Yeah, I met him at the Combine, and we had some Zooms and FaceTimes."
What is your first assessment of his personality?
"I like him. He's a personable guy and intense, about his business. The bar is set high."
Did you talk to Houston Texans OL Trent Brown about the 49ers? What's been his involvement in the draft process?
"I haven't really talked to him today, but he just said, 'This is a job. You've got to work. Set yourself apart. That's really the main gist of what he was saying. Just work, man.
That's all you can do."
What is the mindset and physical traits you need to stop the run?
"Just great pad level, elite hands, great feet, play recognition to know what block is coming to you and then just getting off of blocks, doing your job at a high level."
You really showed your durability at Texas. How much was that emphasized in your conversations with teams throughout the process?
"I feel I've grown more value. I could play any position on the defensive line at a high level. So that's really what the talk was about."
LB Fred Warner actually, earlier this week, said that he was excited to get a lot of younger guys on the defense. That it would bring back a grittiness or some type of grit to the defensive side of the ball. Does that make you feel a little bit more comfortable knowing somebody like Fred Warner, such a leader on this team, is excited to have some younger guys play?
"Most definitely. I know we're going to come in, he's going to be honest. The bar is set high, like I said, and I'm ready. I'm ready to work."
Have you talked much with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, and if so, what have those conversations been like?
"They've been good. Everything's really been on the same lines of just coming in, helping us win games, learning, being coachable, all of the above."
What was the sort of the upside to spending so much time in an SEC program, getting the amount of development you did there to be able to kind of step into this position where a lot is going to be expected of young guys on this defense?
"I would say just week-to-week, going against the best of the best. And then also just the work that had to be put in to be good. Because you can't not put in work and then go play Georgia or Arkansas. I feel like got a little bit of a little glimpse of what it can be like in the
NFL or what it is going to be like in the NFL."
Have you met DL Mykel Williams, the first pick?
"No, sir."
You're familiar with him from the SEC though?
"No, sir."
Anybody you're excited to talk to, pick their brain a bit once you get here to the Bay Area on the team?
"The linebacker, he's really good."
Fred Warner.
"Yes. I love how he carries himself. I love how he plays. And then just all the older guys. I just want to, it doesn't matter what, I'm going to ask, I'm trying to be in this league for a long time and they've done it before me. They've been in my shoes, so I'm picking their brain for sure."
You missed just one game in college, is that right?
"I missed probably like three or four."
Did you have to play through a lot of stuff? You play a violent position. Is there stuff you just have to go through playing defense tackle?
"Oh, for sure. I'm never a hundred percent and it's just the mentality, you know what I'm saying? That's been instilled and that's just how I go about my business."
Did you have an idea that the 49ers were interested in you throughout the whole process?
"They were saying just having some young people come in and contribute is big for them. I didn't know. I didn't."
LB Nick Martin
How exciting is it to have your name called? Obviously, being drafted by the 49ers. It just happened, so you haven't had much time to even take it in.
"Yeah, it's a blessing. I grew up watching the Draft and since I was five, I wanted to be in the NFL and be the best at it and get there. And being here is surreal and it's just a blessing. I'm excited to get to work."
Being a linebacker, do you watch LB Fred Warner in any capacity or are you excited to learn from him, talk to him?
"Oh, yeah. I watch him all the time. He's like the guy that I respect the most at the linebacker position in the league. So, it's an honor to get to work with him and learn from him and be the guy next to him, you know what I'm saying? And just playing with him and learning and growing. I'm just excited to work with him."
What aspects of his game do you watch most closely or admire the most?
"I like his ball-hawk mentality. He is always going after the ball, whether that's punching it out or an interception and how he's always around the ball, always around the guy with the ball and just figuring out ways to force turnovers. I think that's something he really just imprinted on and really mastered and continues to do good at. So, I would say that's something I really pay attention to."
Can you describe your style?
"I would say I'm very athletic, so I like to use that to my advantage. I'm relentless, the way I always go for the kill shot, whether that's maximum effort or punishing a person with the ball, just figuring out ways to just change the tone of the game. And I'm explosive and I'm just somebody that cares about the guy next to him, always willing to give his all for the guy next to him and understanding that no rep should be taken for granted and just always just give them my all, each and every down."
What about Denver Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw? Is that a linebacker that you followed at all?
"Oh, yeah. I thought they were like the dynamic duo. And being able to come in and just be that piece, it's just going to be a fun thing for me and I'm super excited."
You missed a few games last year with a knee injury. How's the knee now? What happened?
"Yeah, I had a contact injury to my knee. It was an MCL tear. Healed from it, didn't have to have surgery. And I went into Combine 100-percent, Senior Bowl I was 100-percent, as well. And I'm feeling great right now, so I'm ready to get after it and ready just to prove my name and show the world what I'm about."
You're obviously not the biggest linebacker, but you obviously have some contact courage. Has that always just been a part of you or at some point do you learn like, 'I just have to go for it?'
"Yeah, I grew up, like in high school, everybody was saying I was undersized and he's probably going to be more of a safety or a running back, but I feel like that was just fuel to the fire and I really just figured out how to use my size to my advantage. Using my athleticism and just my keen ability to just get after it. I feel like that was something that was ingrained in me at a young age. And just my mentality. I'm the youngest of four boys, so I've got three older brothers. So, it was about get out the mud for me, since day one. So when I grew up, that mentality was kind of ingrained in me at a young age. So it was something that I've always had a part of me."
What were your interactions with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh leading up to this?
"Yeah, so I was at the Senior Bowl and it was [president of football operations and general manager] John Lynch and a bunch of the guys there and I was talking with them. We were going through some install and stuff. I'm just excited to work with them. Those are some legendary coaches, [linebackers] coach [Johnny] Holland and all those guys. I'm just excited to work with them. I've had a few interactions with all of them. But yeah, definitely meeting more in the future."
So, did you have an idea that the 49ers were very interested in you throughout the whole process?
"Yeah. Honestly, I knew it was going to be an NFC West team. I had the idea that it was going to be the Niners, just because of how good the meetings went at the Senior Bowl. And I had a formal with them at the Combine. And also, I had a Zoom with the linebackers coach as well. So it was kind of like in the back of my head, like I might end up there and I might get a chance to work with Fred and that whole Niners defense. It was kind of in my mind. So when I saw that call from a California number, I knew it, this is where I'm going."
You had six sacks a couple seasons ago. Can you describe how your role as a pass rusher within your defense evolved over your time in college?
"I definitely love rushing and my coaches like to use my athleticism and just like doing different things with the linebackers sometimes, putting me on the edge or a blitzing between the tackles. But we had certain calls where, like I said, I would go on the edge. And then definitely in '23, I was more of a balanced to rush guy. So the front was able to eat and I was balancing them and it kind of was one of those getting a feel for it. And I kind of just picked it up pretty easy. Rushing is something I love to do. Who doesn't like sacking the quarterback? That's something that I definitely consider a great part of my game."
The 49ers defense is going to be especially young this coming season. What are you most looking forward to with this opportunity to compete for early playing time, especially alongside a guy like LB Fred Warner?
"Just coming in and proving myself to the vets and winning their respect. And definitely just becoming that guy that they can look at, like, he's a young guy, but I know he's got my back. You know what I'm saying? And I would say that's my first and foremost thing and just learning the playbook and winning that starting job. So, just taking it one day at a time after that and continuing to learn and grow."
You got a lot going on around you. It's pretty quiet it seems, but also am assuming that you got a lot of action going on with your phone right now. Did you have family surrounding you? What was going on?
"Yeah, I got a bunch of my family downstairs. I'm upstairs in a room. I'm trying to find a quiet place, but everybody's lit and my phone is blowing up right now. So I'm trying to ignore all the stuff going on. But it's a blessing, everybody's just excited and it is just a blessing, and it is a lot going on. My son was born like three weeks ago so it has been a crazy year for me, but it's full of blessings. I'm just excited for the journey."
CB Upton Stout
President of football operations and general manager John Lynch said you had the most energy they've ever heard on a call. Can you just kind of describe your emotions when you got the call from them?
"Man, really, I'm not going to lie, I was excited just because when I took my visit out there, I just knew this is a spot for me. Just seeing all the playmakers they had and all the dogs. I'm just like, if I'm able to feed off them, I could be a great player. So, I was excited. Once
John Lynch told me he was on the phone, I was just turned up and pumped."
You are the third guy today to actually say that you just knew that the 49ers were the place for you to be. What was it about your visit that just solidified that for you?
"I feel like it was the coaches' energy, like the coaches' energy was just off the charts, off the roof. So, I just felt like we were vibing right when I got into the DB room. So, that's when I really felt like, yeah, this is a place for me to be after I was just vibing with the coaches."
You said your parents are out there vibing right now. What's it like going on?
"I'm not going to lie, they're all turnt like, man, we're blessed right now. I'm not going to lie. It's a crazy feeling right now."
How familiar are you with the 49ers system and how they operate, the guys that are already on the roster?
"I watched a lot of their defense last year while I was at WKU [Western Kentucky University], just watching number two [DB Deommodore Lenoir] on the slot and then watching six [S Malik Mustapha] at safety. So just me watching a lot of the ball players that they had, that always kind of gravitated me to their defensive scheme."
John Lynch said area scout Warren Ball the scout was on you, said you had the heart of a lion. Do you have to have that to play the way you do with the size you have?
"For sure. I feel like you always have to have the heart of a lion no matter what size you are. It's just like, you have to have that mindset every time you step on the field and I just feel like every time I step on the field, you're going to get the best of me and I feel like that's what comes out is like heart of a lion."
So you play as fast as you talk?
"My bad. I'm just pumped up right now. My voice is gone. I'm just like, I'm excited right now."
You put up the most bench press reps out of any DB at the combine. I think 21. Was that a big point of pride for you just because showcasing your strength is something you see a lot on tape?
"Yeah, that was really a big main point for me just to show coach that I can't just go out there and play man and talk, show that I'm actually strong too when it comes to my game. So it was a big part of me just to go out there and try to get the most bench reps for the DBs."
Interested to know if you have any type of relationship or just excited to get to know Deommodore Lenoir who plays the same position here? Maybe pick his brain on what you can expect coming in this year.
"I'm just excited to get around him, just seeing all the plays he made and him being one of the top players in the league as far as in the slot. So, I'm just excited to pick his brain and see how I can develop my game into another level. Just trying to feed off his game every day because I know he is doing that at a high level right now. So, I'm just trying to figure out how I can do that and catch on quick."
How does playing in the slot suit your game?
"I feel like that's me. I feel like when I'm at corner, that's kind of like it's cool to go shut down the island, but when I'm in the middle that really showcases who I really am. Like I can go blitz, I can tap, I can play man to man. So, I feel like me being at slot really showcases the type of player I am, the type of versatility that I can bring to a team."
Do you like playing against the run as well?
"For sure. I always like to put my nose in. I feel like that's a big part of my game getting dirty. I like when the violence comes."
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