The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2025 NFL Draft with several key needs—none believed to be more pressing than along the defensive and offensive lines. The team parted ways with multiple defensive contributors this offseason, and the offensive front could use reinforcements as San Francisco also looks to the future.
This week brought the releases of ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.'s two-round mock draft, CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco's first-round mock draft, and The Athletic analyst Nick Baumgardner's three-round mock draft, each offering a different take on how the 49ers might address their roster needs.
San Francisco holds 11 picks in this month's draft, beginning with the 11th overall selection following a six-win 2024 season.
Kiper mock draft: Defense first
Kiper doesn't have the 49ers addressing the trenches until Round 2. Instead, his first-round projection focuses on the secondary, slotting Michigan cornerback Will Johnson to San Francisco with the 11th pick.
Johnson has become a popular predicted 49ers target—the most frequent projection in recent mocks, in fact. Kiper questions whether the team's current cornerback group is strong enough heading into 2025.
"There's well-documented roster turnover in San Francisco right now, and Charvarius Ward is among the departures," Kiper explained. "Renardo Green has one of the outside starting spots, but what will the 49ers do at the other? Could slot guy Deommodore Lenoir move outside? Will new signee Tre Brown earn the role (and stay healthy)? Or could this be a golden chance to land a potential shutdown CB1 in Johnson?"
Despite missing time last season with a toe injury, Johnson slid only slightly down Kiper's Big Board, from the top five to No. 12 overall.
"But the talent is undeniable," Kiper continued. "He's big -- 6-foot-2 -- and his instincts and ball skills show up in the box scores. He had nine interceptions over his Michigan career, including two pick-sixes last season. The 49ers had 11 total INTs a year ago (tied for 19th)."
In the second round, Kiper has the 49ers selecting another Michigan defender with the 43rd overall pick—defensive tackle Kenneth Grant.
"Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins were released," Kiper noted. "Grant would clog up the middle in their place. He's 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, and he has explosiveness and good instincts to his game. Hitting on Day 2 picks would help San Francisco replenish its roster and remain a contender in the NFC. Grant has the potential to immediately contribute in a big way."
Prisco: Filling two needs with one player
Like Kiper, Prisco previously had the 49ers selecting a cornerback in the first round. This time, he goes in a different direction—projecting Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker at No. 11 overall to help offset the loss of Dre Greenlaw while also bolstering the pass rush.
"They tried to keep Dre Greenlaw, but he went to Denver in free agency," Prisco wrote. "Walker can play off-the-ball linebacker, and he can also rush the passer. They need help in that area as well."
Walker has notched 11.5 sacks over the last two seasons. In 2024, he posted a career-high 60 tackles (11 for loss), 6.5 sacks, and two passes defensed.
Baumgardner: Key needs addressed across three rounds
The 49ers have four picks in the first three rounds, and Baumgardner uses each to address a different area of need. He begins with Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell at No. 11 overall.
"It's hard to compare people to Micah Parsons," Baumgardner wrote. "Campbell isn't as fast as the Cowboys' dynamic superstar, but he's not that far off — and he's probably at least as explosive. As was the case with Parsons when he came out of college, Campbell hasn't scratched the surface with regard to all the things he can do on a football field."
In the second round, Baumgardner projects Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams to San Francisco at pick No. 43, reinforcing the interior defensive line and addressing the departures of Hargrave and Collins.
Baumgardner continues to strengthen the trenches in the third round, sending Texas offensive tackle Cameron Williams to the 49ers at pick No. 75, and Ole Miss pass rusher Princely Umanmielen at No. 100.
Comments