NFL Draft Grades - San Francisco 49ers
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San Francisco 49ers Upcoming 2025 Draft Picks (11)
Walt's Mock Selections as of 4/23/2025 -View Current Mock Draft
Round: 1


The 49ers desperately need in the trenches, whether it's on the offensive or defensive line. John Lynch, of course, is no stranger to using first-round draft capital on the defensive front, but he needs to improve his blocking. The 49ers need a guard for the present and a successor for Trent Williams in the future. Kelvin Banks is a terrific pass protector. He can play four positions on the offensive line. *** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: *** 1. Kenneth Grant, DT - Grant could still be the choice over Johnson. 2. Mykel Williams, DE - The 49ers love addressing the defensive line, and they also have to find a new edge rusher. Pick change; previously Will Johnson, CB
Round: 2


The 49ers lost Javon Hargrave, yet they needed defensive tackle help even before he departed. Omar Norman-Lott is a big defensive tackle who generates a quality pass rush despite his impressive size.
Round: 3


The 49ers have severe issues with their offensive line, so they're expected to make multiple upgrades. Drew Kendall was able to thrive in the agility drills at the combine.
Round: 3


The 49ers lost Dre Greenlaw in free agency, so they could spend a second-day pick on a linebacker. Demetrius Knight was highly productive at both Charlotte and then South Carolina.
Round: 4


Despite Nick Bosa's presence, the 49ers had the ninth-worst pressure rate in the NFL last year. Josaiah Stewart is undersized, but he's a dangerous pass rusher.
Round: 4


Kyle Shanahan loves drafting running backs in the middle rounds. Bhayshul Tuten has a nose for the end zone and quality receiving ability. He was the fastest running back at the combine. Go to 2025 NFL Mock Draft by Charlie Campbell Go to 2026 NFL Mock Draft by Walter Cherepinsky
Round: 5


The 49ers have been scouting kickers aggressively during the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Andres Borregales was 18-of-19 last year, including 7-of-8 from 40-plus.
Round: 5


The 49ers love to draft defensive linemen, so I expect them to do that on multiple occasions this offseason. C.J. West is a quick, strong, and thick defensive tackle.
Round: 7


With George Kittle in his 30s, the 49ers may want a tight end for the future. Jackson Hawes is a quality blocking tight end.
Round: 7


The 49ers lost Dre Greenlaw, so they may want to bring in a couple of new linebackers to find a replacement.
Round: 7


With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk coming off injury, the 49ers will need to obtain a receiver at some point.
Past Grades and Selections
2024 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
C I guess Brandon Aiyuk is on the move. The 49ers drafting a receiver is not a surprise, but Ricky Pearsall in the first round is something I haven't seen. I don't hate this value, but I think it's a bit too early for Pearsall. I wish San Francisco would have traded down instead.
C This is a bit too early for Renardo Green, whom we had tabbed as a fringe second-day prospect. I don't hate the selection because Green potentially fills a big need at cornerback, but Green didn't produce very much at Florida State.
B+ The 49ers have Trent Williams, but the rest of the offensive line is underwhelming. They needed a right tackle to replace Mike McGlinchey and a future blind-side protector when Williams leaves. Dominick Puni can play both tackle spots and also guard, so the 49ers can use him everywhere.
C- This is an underwhelming pick by the 49ers, as Malik Mustapha projects as a career backup and a potential core special-teamer. The 49ers could have made this or a similar pick two rounds later.
C+ Wow, what a total shocker that Kyle Shanahan used a mid-round pick on a running back! I don't think the 49ers needed to trade up for Isaac Guerendo, but they're getting an under-the-radar prospect. Guerendo is a big back who tested much faster than some people thought. We had him around this fourth-round range.
B+ A second receiver to the 49ers makes sense, given some impending trades at the position. Jacob Cowing is a very fast receiver with upside who makes sense here at the end of the fourth round.
B Kamal Hadden bounced around schools, but settled in at Tennessee. He played well last year and was seen as a mid-Day 3 prospect, so this is a logical choice for the Chiefs to make, especially given how many lethal passing offenses exist in the AFC.
B Jarrett Kingston needs to get stronger for the NFL. However, he has nice position versatility to play tackle and guard if he does bulk up a bit. Adding more blocking makes sense for the 49ers, and Kingston was expected to be drafted around this area.
B- I've never seen anyone mention Tatum Bethune as a draftable prospect, but we're in the final 10 picks here, so I don't blame the 49ers for getting ahead of everyone for the UDFA surge.
2023 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
D Kickers are not people, Rich Eisen. They are abominations. And they certainly should not be chosen in the third round. Fifth round, OK. Third round, no. The 49ers needed a real player and person here.
B- The 49ers wanted a second tight end to go along with George Kittle, so here we go. Cameron Latu has plus athleticism and size, but has a checkered injury history. He makes sense at the end of the third round in this loaded tight end class.
B+ The Vikings really needed a cornerback, and Mekhi Blackmon is very talented. He's small, but very speedy. He had a great Senior Bowl to push himself up draft boards. I like him at the end of the third round.
B The 49ers needed cornerback depth, and Darrell Luter is someone I had slotted 12 picks later than this. Luter was excellent at South Alabama, but we'll have to see how he performs with far better athletes.
B+ Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract, so the Vikings had to find a quarterback to groom as a potential successor. We'll have to see if Hall can develop, but he at least has plus mobility. His arm is fine as well.
B- Robert Beal surprised a bit in his workouts, as there seemed to be limited upside with him. Perhaps he'll surprise everyone in the NFL. I didn't have him drafted, but this pick makes sense. The 49ers needed to add depth to their defensive front after losing some players in free agency.
B+ Dee Winters is a solid run defender who can stand to improve in coverage. I had Winters going in the fifth round, so this is decent value. Linebacker depth was a need, so I think this is a quality selection.
B There's talk that Dalvin Cook could be traded, so DeWayne McBride might be the No. 2 running back of the future. McBride is a power back, but he lacks speed and agility. Still, he's a fine pick in the seventh round.
B+ Brayden Willis is undersized, but he's an excellent blocker. It's a fine time to draft blocking tigth ends in the seventh round.
B Ronnie Bell is a smart receiver with quality route-running ability. He's a limited athlete, however, so there's not much upside for the final round.
B- Jalen Graham is a small linebacker who struggles to tackle. He can cover well, but he's going to be abused in run support. He may have to stick to special teams.
2022 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
B+ Grade
It's not a surprise that the 49ers are addressing their pass rush, given how much Dee Ford has fallen off in recent years. Jackson is a solid prospect and I mocked him to the 49ers in my re-draft at this spot, so I like this selection.
D Grade
The 49ers have done some sketchy things with running backs during the John Lynch-Kyle Shanahan era, and this is another instance of that. The 49ers may think that Tyrion Davis-Price will provide a hand in the backfield, but he'll just be dwarfed by the competition. He's a tough runner, but I thought he belonged in the sixth or seventh season, I mean round.
B- Grade
Danny Gray is a threat after the catch, so... Deebo Samuel insurance? It sure seems that way. I think this is a tad early for Gray, but it's not an egregious reach by any means. This is a fine selection to close out Day 2.
B+ Grade
It makes sense for the 49ers to find some tackle insurance because Trent Williams is in his mid-30s and could regress at any time. Burford provides nice value - I had him earlier in this round - and he could eventually be a starter for San Francisco.
C Grade
Another prospect who wasn't on my board at all. Samuel Womack was a productive cornerback at Toledo, but I don't think he projects well into the NFL. Still, he could potentially fill a big need at corner for the 49ers.
B+ Grade
Another tackle pick may seem redundant, but the 49ers are making a great value choice because I thought Nick Zakelj could have easily been chosen in the fourth round. It's nice that San Francisco shored up its offensive line depth.
A- Grade
Wow, this is quite the fall for Tariq Castro-Fields, who used to appear in the second round of my mocks. Castro-Fields, however, had a horrible 2021 campaign. Perhaps he's been exposed, but he could rebound and perform like he did prior to 2021. I like this gamble.
B Grade
Montaric Brown was always on the cusp of making the final round of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft, but never got in, unfortunately. The good news for him is that he was drafted. He was productive at Arkansas, so perhaps he can give the Jaguars some needed depth at corner.
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B Grade
Brock Purdy has no chance of becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL, but he might be a quality backup. He can compete with Nate Sudfeld behind Trey Lance once Jimmy Garoppolo is traded. I would have preferred Carson Strong though.
2021 NFL Draft Selections and Grades
A- Grade
I've been in contact with several 49er fans who have been incredibly fearful of their team selecting Mac Jones. They can all now be at ease, as their team made the correct decision. Trey Lance is a much better prospect than Jones. Lance may not be as accurate as Jones in the short passing game, but he has much better arm strength, and he's an incredible athlete. He also possesses high intelligence and character traits. The one concern with Lance is that he's raw, especially after missing last season, but Charlie Campbell was told that Lance resembles Josh Allen. Give him two or three years, and he'll likely be a superstar.
A+ Grade
Everyone whined about the Raiders apparently reaching for Alex Leatherwood on Thursday even though it was really fine value. I imagine that this selection will be viewed more favorably because Trevon Moehrig was frequently mocked in the first round as the only safety in the opening frame. Moehrig is a safe prospect who figures to fill a huge need in the Raiders' dreadful secondary.
B Grade
Bobby Brown has some amazing athleticism, so the Rams are swinging for the fences with this pick. It would make sense for them to address defensive tackle after losing Michael Brockers. I had Brown a bit later than this, but there's no denying Brown's potential.
B Grade
Trent Williams was re-signed, but his health is unreliable. The 49ers needed to find an insurance policy for Williams, and this is a fine one. I had Jaylon Moore in the fifth or sixth rounds of my updates, so the range makes sense for Moore.
B Grade
This is the 49ers' second cornerback, which is a logical pick because of the players they lost at the position this offseason. I've had Deommodore Leonoir around this range in my mock draft, so this is a fine selection.
B+ Grade
Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Matthew Stafford... the 49ers obviously needed to address the secondary. Talanoa Hufanga was someone I mocked in the fourth round, so I'm definitely a fan of this value.
B Grade
Elijah Mitchell is a pure kick returner who won't do much else. There's not much to analyze here beyond the 49ers getting a dynamic threat on special teams. I didn't have Mitchell drafted, but only because I didn't know where to slot him.