SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The three-day 2025 NFL draft began in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Thursday. The San Francisco 49ers selected edge Mykel Williams with their first pick.
Here's analysis of each pick the 49ers make:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 11 overall: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
My take: The 49ers almost had to take a defensive lineman with their first pick and will almost certainly need to do so again once or twice in the next few rounds. It only made sense for them to address edge first given the importance of the position and their seemingly never-ending search for a tag team partner for Nick Bosa. Williams is far from a finished product, and this will put the pressure on line coach Kris Kocurek to help him reach his potential, but it's a worthwhile swing on a player who might have gone much higher if not for a left ankle injury in 2024.
Will he start as a rookie? It would be a surprise -- and not a good one -- if he doesn't. The Niners do have Yetur Gross-Matos, who can slide inside and play on the interior, but Williams has one skill that should make him an instant fit in the starting front: setting the edge. In the wide-9 defense, the ends need to be able to consistently do that, and it's something Williams excelled at in college, albeit from different alignments. That alone should help him get on the field right away.
Key stat to know: Williams had 14 sacks in three seasons at Georgia while lining up all over the Bulldogs' defensive line. That lack of sack production makes Williams something of a gamble when it comes to the pass rush, but he had two of the best games of his career against Texas and offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who went ninth overall to the New Orleans Saints. In those games, Williams had four of his five sacks, offering signs that he needs better health and some time to become the pass rusher the Niners believe he can be.
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Round 2, No. 43: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
My take: The 49ers' defensive line overhaul added another big player Friday night in the form of Collins. Listed at 6-6 and 332 pounds, Collins gives the Niners some much-needed size on the interior of the defensive line. Texas allowed 2.9 yards per carry over the past two seasons when Collins was on the field. Pairing this pick with first-round selection end Mykel Williams, the 49ers are clearly addressing their biggest needs first.
Will he start as a rookie? Most likely. The 49ers have some competition at tackle, particularly at nose tackle where Jordan Elliott returns from last season. But they were 28th in the NFL in defensive expected points added against the run last year. Much like the Rams did with end Jared Verse and tackle Braden Fiske last season, the Niners will likely expect their first two picks to step into the front four right away.
Round 3, No. 75: Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State
My take: The 49ers continued to address their defensive needs but move one level back from the line to find a player they hope can help replace Dre Greenlaw. Martin missed seven games in 2024 with an MCL injury that did not require surgery, but performed well at the NFL combine, including a 40-yard dash time of 4.53 seconds. In 2023, he was a first-team All-Big 12 performer with 140 tackles, including 16 for loss. With other linebacker options on the board, this seems like a bit of a dice roll on a player coming off an injury-plagued season.
When will Martin be expected to get regular playing time?: Martin should have an opportunity to compete for early playing time right away given that the Niners don't have many established veterans at linebacker outside of Fred Warner. First, Martin will have to prove he's healthy after the knee injury, and then he can battle it out with the likes of Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune and others for playing time on defense. In the meantime, he will need to help on special teams right away to get on the field early.
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Round 3, No. 100: Upton Stout, CB, Western Kentucky
My take: After losing Charvarius Ward, Rock Ya-Sin and Isaac Yiadom in free agency, the Niners needed more depth and competition at cornerback. Deommodore Lenoir remains the team's best corner, also kicking into the slot in nickel packages, but the addition of Stout could lighten that load. Stout played 53% of his snaps in the slot in 2024 on his way to first-team All-Conference USA honors.
Key stat: Over the past two seasons, Stout has not allowed a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage on 409 coverage snaps. He was targeted just eight times last season. Stout is small but sticky in coverage and should have a chance to earn special teams snaps immediately while working to carve out a role on defense.
What's next: The 49ers have spent all four of their picks thus far on the defense. In doing so, they've checked off many of their needs on that side of the ball. But they could still use more help on the defensive line with safety, the offensive line, running back and receiver also in need of attention.
Round 4, No. 113: CJ West, DT, Indiana
My take: For the first time since 1981, the Niners have used their first five selections on defensive players. If this one turns out anything like that year (those Niners added Ronnie Lott, John Harty, Eric Wright, Carlton Williamson and Lynn Thomas), this defense will turn around quickly. West was a disruptive force in college, posting 52 stops at or behind the line of scrimmage since 2021, the most among FBS defensive tackles in that span. It wouldn't be a surprise if West worked into the defensive line rotation right away.
Round 4, No. 138: Jordan Watkins, WR, Ole Miss
My take: For the first time in this draft, the 49ers go with offense, selecting Watkins to add some speed to the receiver corps. The Niners have some uncertainty at wideout with Brandon Aiyuk returning from a torn ACL, Jauan Jennings entering the last year of his contract and Demarcus Robinson facing a potential suspension. That should open the door for Watkins to earn snaps early after tying for the SEC lead in touchdown receptions (nine) in 2024.
Round 5, No. 147 (from Washington through New Orleans): Jordan James, RB, Oregon
My take: It was only a matter of time before the Niners started addressing their need for depth at the offensive skill positions. After taking Watkins, they moved to the backfield where they get another productive running back in James, who finished third in the Big Ten in rushing last year. Christian McCaffrey remains the primary back here, but he is coming off a couple of injuries, and Isaac Guerendo hasn't proved durable yet. It's not hard to imagine James getting in the mix at some point in his rookie season.
Round 5, No. 160 (from Minnesota): Marques Sigle, S, Kansas State
My take: After a pair of offensive players, the Niners turned back to defense to address one of their sneakiest needs at safety. Sigle brings some speed to the back end, running a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the combine. That should give him a chance to push for a role at free safety as the Niners sift through their options in the back of the secondary.
Round 7, No. 227: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
My take: Just as the Niners are about to give a lucrative contract extension to the last quarterback they took in the seventh round, they took another one Saturday. Rourke accounted for 31 total touchdowns in helping the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff last season. Upon arrival, he should have a chance to compete with Tanner Mordecai for the team's third quarterback spot behind starter Brock Purdy and backup Mac Jones.
Round 7, No. 249: Connor Colby, OL, Iowa
My take: Finally, with their 10th of 11 scheduled picks, the 49ers addressed the offensive line. It's not a tackle but it is an experienced player who could challenge for playing time on the interior. Colby started 50 games for the Hawkeyes, most of them at right guard but he should have flexibility to work along the interior, and his best path to a roster spot is likely to show he can play center in addition to guard.
Round 7, No. 252 overall: Junior Bergen, WR, Montana
My take: The 49ers took another flyer on a speedy, smaller wideout (5-foot-11, 184 pounds) with Bergen to wrap up their draft. With Bergen and Jordan Watkins, the Niners have added some depth and competition at wideout as they prepare for the uncertainty they have at the position entering the season. Bergen is an accomplished returner whose best path to a roster spot will likely come on special teams.