The San Francisco 49ers added 11 new players during the 2025 NFL Draft, and ESPN's Field Yates was among those impressed by the team's efforts to strengthen its roster over the three-day event.
The 49ers entered the draft with several holes to fill after an offseason that saw multiple key contributors leave in free agency. The team also parted ways with defensive linemen Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd, creating a clear need along the defensive front.
To address that, San Francisco used three of its picks on defensive linemen—Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and CJ West—to reinforce the trenches.
Yates highlighted four teams he believes had particularly strong drafts, with the 49ers making the list.
"Teams checked off needs and found value over three days. I particularly liked what the Chargers, Seahawks, Bears and 49ers did," Yates wrote.
However, not everyone was as optimistic. Both Sports Illustrated and Pro Football Focus gave the 49ers a "D" grade for their draft haul. Gilberto Manzano of SI questioned whether Williams was selected too early and criticized the team for not addressing the offensive line in the first round.
Offensive tackle was considered one of the 49ers' most pressing needs heading into the draft, yet the team didn't select one in any of the seven rounds, nor did they sign one as an undrafted free agent.
Despite the criticism, general manager John Lynch remains confident in the team's selections.
"I know we got better this weekend," Lynch said on Saturday.
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