Why 2025 NFL Draft influenced 49ers trading Mason to Vikings

The 49ers figure to be in line to take advantage of what looks like a deep class of running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft.The 49ers on Saturday traded running back Jordan Mason, a three-year veteran, to the Minnesota Vikings, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area, in a move that clears significant cap space and improves their draft capital for the next two years.The 49ers and Vikings swapped picks in this year's draft, as the 49ers move up from No. 187 overall in the sixth round for the Vikings' pick in the fifth round at No. 160, a source told NBC Sports Bay Area. The 49ers also receive Minnesota's sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft.The trade now gives the 49ers eight picks within the top 160 selections of next month's draft.And while the 49ers have more urgent needs, running back now becomes a position of interest.Quinshon Judkins of Ohio State, Dylan Sampson of Tennessee, Quincy Riley of Louisville, Cam Skattebo of Arizona State and RJ Harvey of Central Florida are among the running backs who could be available for the 49ers in the middle rounds.The 49ers appeared ready to make a large financial commitment to Mason this week, but their idea all along was to ensure he did not...