The San Francisco 49ers are at a crossroads. It feels like we say that every year, but 2025 is different. The core is aging. Trent Williams isn’t getting any younger, even if he still plays like a god. Deebo Samuel is gone, traded to Washington in a move that still feels weird to type out. The roster is top-heavy and the bill is coming due.
If you’re looking at a 49ers 2025 mock draft, you have to start with the trenches. Period. John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have spent years throwing late-round darts at the offensive line, hoping to find another Brock Purdy-level steal. It hasn't really worked. Aside from Colton McKivitz holding on for dear life at right tackle, the unit has been a "Trent Williams and everyone else" show for way too long.
Honestly, the 2025 draft is the 49ers' best chance to fix the foundation before the championship window slams shut.
The First-Round Dilemma: Tackle or Edge?
Drafting at No. 11 overall—thanks to a 2024 season that didn't go quite as planned—gives the Niners a rare opportunity. They aren't used to picking this high. Usually, they're picking in the late 20s or trading out entirely. With the 11th pick, the board opens up.
Most experts are screaming for an offensive tackle. You’ve got guys like Will Campbell from LSU or Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas. These are Day 1 starters. They are the kind of players who can let Trent Williams eventually retire in peace. But there’s always a catch with San Francisco. They love their defensive linemen.
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I’ve seen plenty of mocks putting Georgia’s Mykel Williams in a red and gold jersey. He’s a freak. A literal "built in a lab" defensive end who would look terrifying opposite Nick Bosa. But can the Niners afford to ignore the O-line again? Brock Purdy is great, but he isn't a magician. He needs a clean pocket, especially since the team is moving into a post-Deebo era where the quick-strike YAC (yards after catch) game might look a little different.
Why Right Tackle is a Secret Priority
Everyone talks about the left side because that’s the "blind side." It’s sexy. It’s expensive. But the 49ers' right side has been a revolving door of "he’s okay, I guess."
If Campbell and Banks are off the board by pick 11, the Niners might look at someone like Armand Membou from Missouri. He’s a brick wall. He didn't allow a single sack in 2024. That is the kind of consistency this team is starving for. Imagine not having to hold your breath every time a speed rusher lines up on the right side.
- Will Campbell (LSU): The dream scenario. Prototypical size, elite feet.
- Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas): A powerhouse who could play guard in a pinch but is a natural tackle.
- Mykel Williams (Georgia): The "Lynch Special." High-upside pass rusher.
- Upton Stout (WKU): A name to watch in the middle rounds for secondary depth.
The 49ers currently have 11 picks in this draft. That is a massive amount of capital. They got an extra fifth-rounder from the Deebo trade and some compensatory picks for losing guys like Aaron Banks and Charvarius Ward in the future cycle. They have the ammo to move up.
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The Mid-Round Identity Crisis
Once you get past the first round, the 49ers 2025 mock draft gets messy. The team needs a cornerback. Badly. Renardo Green has shown flashes, but they need a lockdown guy. Upton Stout out of Western Kentucky is a favorite for the third round. He’s scrappy. He fits the "Niner way" of playing physical, annoying defense.
Then there’s the wide receiver situation. With Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne hitting free agency soon, the depth behind Brandon Aiyuk is thin. Jordan Watkins from Ole Miss is a name that keeps popping up. He’s fast. He’s reliable. He isn't Deebo, but nobody is.
I think people underestimate how much this team values the defensive interior, too. They took Alfred Collins from Texas in the second round in several simulations. He’s 300-plus pounds of pure disruption. If the Niners want to keep their "wave" of defensive linemen fresh, they have to keep drafting them. It’s their identity. Even if it makes fans scream for more blockers, Lynch usually sticks to his guns.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 49ers Draft Strategy
People assume Kyle Shanahan wants a specific "type" of player. They think he only wants fast guys.
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Actually, he wants smart guys.
The 49ers' playbook is notoriously difficult. It’s why so many talented players fail here. When looking at a 49ers 2025 mock draft, you have to look for high-IQ players. Guys who played in complex systems in college. That’s why a guy like Nick Martin, the linebacker from Oklahoma State, makes so much sense in the third round. He’s a tackling machine who understands gap integrity. With Dre Greenlaw’s injury history, the Niners need a insurance policy that can actually play.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Offseason
The draft is only half the battle. If you're following the Niners, here is what you should actually be watching for as we head toward April:
- The Salary Cap Dance: The team has about $30 million in space, but a lot of that is earmarked for a potential Brock Purdy extension. Every dollar spent in free agency is a dollar they can't use to keep their own stars.
- The "Trent Factor": If Trent Williams hints at retirement, the 11th pick must be a tackle. No excuses. If he stays, they might have the luxury of taking a pass rusher or trading back.
- The Deebo Void: Watch how they use their fifth-round picks. They have two of them. These are historically where the Niners find "their guys" (think George Kittle or Talanoa Hufanga).
- Secondary Stability: If they don't sign a veteran corner in March, expect them to double-dip at the position in the draft.
The 2025 NFL Draft will determine if the 49ers can remain a powerhouse or if they’re about to head into a painful transition period. They have the picks. They have the talent. Now they just need to actually hit on the offensive line for once.
Stay tuned. The scouting combine is going to tell us a lot about who they really value, especially in the 40-yard dash for those defensive ends they love so much. For now, keep an eye on the big boys in the SEC. That’s where the 49ers' future is likely hiding.