Everybody does an NFL mock draft, why not me?
I’ll use PFF.com and post their picks so you’ll know who is on the board when I choose, explaining my thinking for each pick. I’m not going trade crazy because the Pro Football Focus trade option is too easy, most teams wouldn’t agree to these deals and it inflates the 49ers draft. I want to make it as realistic as possible.
I’ll post these each Monday until the NFL draft on Thursday April 24th from Green Bay.
ROUND 1: 49ERS 1-11
This is worst case scenario for my 49ers mock draft in round 1. I’m hoping one of the elite offensive tackles fall to me at #11 and I’ll keep the pick. However, Will Campbell goes to the Raiders at #6 and my draft crush Armand Membou is off the board to the Jets one pick later. I also would have taken Michigan DT Mason Graham if he had slipped, but he goes to Jacksonville at #5. This is actually the likely scenario on April 24th. I want an OT to play RT, Colton McKivitz moves inside to left guard to replace the overpaid Aaron Banks (Green Bay), or a DT, which is the 49ers biggest need. Absent of that, I use up my self imposed one trade and even though the Cardinals are in division, I don’t care and get the 47th overall pick to move down 5 spots. Fairly realistic.
Now I’m on the clock at #16. The reason I wouldn’t go further back is Seattle is at #18 and they are looking at similar position groups. The Seahawks need OL help, especially inside. They are also looking at interior defensive line, edge, and corner and safety.
In all honesty, I’d move down again because the power of this draft is its depth and I don’t love an offensive tackle here and it’s too early for a guard. The defensive line group is deep. Even though he hasn’t been mentioned in any mocks for the 49ers, Starks makes sense because I don’t think Ja’Ayir Brown is a starting free safety in the NFL and the Georgia safety would be a great match for San Francisco. Josh Simmons is a an NFL guard, tackle Kelvin Banks is there, DT Walter Nolen, WR Luther Burden III as well as Georgia defenders Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker plus DT Derek Harmon of Oregon. Like I said, it’s a deep group who are all largely graded in a similar fashion, but I’ve already traded and don’t want to make this a silly exercise.
WITH THE 16TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT, THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT KENNETH GRANT DT MICHIGAN.
This could be seen as drafting for need, but NFL teams may say they always go best player, but they marry need and best player. The reason I take the 6’4″ 330 pound Grant is there isn’t another prospect like him. He moves very well for his size, he can penetrate and stop the run and he has major upside. Most of the DTs available are one or the other, a big run stuffer or a quick penetrator. Grant should help stop the run and push the pocket. I’m hoping he’s Dexter Lawrence part two.
ROUND 2: PICK 2-43
Needs: OL, DT, Edge, CB, Safety, LB, WR, RB, TE.
The 49ers get their run stuffer/pocket pushing DT in round one and now armed with two of the next four picks thanks to the Cardinals trade, there is a lot of quality on the board for positions of need.
AVAILABLE: LB Demetrius Knight South Carolina, CB Maxwell Hariston Kentucky, TE Elijah Arroyo Miami, Aireontae Ersey OT Minnesota, Kyle Kennard Edge South Carolina, Donovan Jackson G/T Ohio State.
Tough call here, but I know I have another pick at #47, so I take the player I think could be off the board between now and then and hold my breath!
WITH THE 43RD PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT, THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT, AIREONTAE ERSERY, OT MINNESOTA.
I wanted the tackle in the first round and defense from there, but the two tackles I wanted were gone, so I take a chance on the 6’6″ 330 tackle from Minnesota. Hopefully he can start in year one and the 49ers move Colton McKivitz to left guard, where I hear the team likes him inside.
ROUND 2: PICK 2-47:
Needs: DT, Edge, C, Safety, LB, WR, RB, TE.
Two big needs out of the way in DT and OT, though the 49ers still need a DT and aren’t done on the offensive line as they could use a center and another tackle with Trent Williams possibly retiring after next season and Colton McKivitz in the last year of his deal.
AVAILABLE: LB Demetrius Knight South Carolina, CB Maxwell Hariston Kentucky, TE Elijah Arroyo Miami, Kyle Kennard Edge South Carolina
This one is easy. Best player, big need.
WITH THE 47TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT, THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT DEMETRIUS KNIGHT JR. LINEBACKER SOUTH CAROLINA.
With Dre Greenlaw leaving for Denver and Dee Winters and Jalen Graham not proving they could fill the huge hole left by his exit, the 49ers are forced to go for a linebacker with their bonus second round pick. As PFF says, Knight Jr. is close to a finished product, so hopefully he can step right in. Were checking boxes here.
ROUND 3: PICK 3-75:
NEEDS: Edge, DT, C, Safety, CB, WR, TE, RB, T.
We’ve secured a big DT, a RT and a LB so far to fill needs. This is going to be a tough call because I see a lot of players here I like and would fill more needs. My number one goal is to replenish the trenches, but I think the secondary needs another CB and a safety and if a WR slips I like I would go there. Plus even though the 49ers spent some decent money on TE Luke Farrell, he’s a blocker and they still need a #2 pass catching tight end behind George Kittle and this draft is deep with those.
AVAILABLE: DT Shemar Turner Texas A&M, DT CJ West Indiana, TE Mason Taylor LSU, Edge Jordan Burch Oregon, DT Jordan Phillips Maryland, Edge Elijah Roberts SMU, C Jared Wilson Georgia, WR Jaylin Noel Iowa State, T Cameron Williams Texas, TE Harold Fannin Bowling Green.
I love five of these guys and would trade down if I could, but let’s keep it real. I might be regretting my Grant choice in the first round because there are so many run stuffers here in West and Phillips. Taylor is tempting as is Noel for the offense. Edge might be the biggest need and I know the 49ers like Roberts, who combines size and ability. Williams could be the second tackle the 49ers need for the future. Fannin doesn’t block but could be a weapon, he caught 117 passes last season.
WITH THE 75TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT, THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT JARED WILSON, CENTER GEORGIA.
I know, with all that talent on the board and bigger needs, I take a one-year starting center form Georgia. However, Jake Brendel gave up way too much pressure up the middle last season and when your new mega million quarterback is barely 6’1″, middle pressure is not good. It forced Brock Purdy to guess too often last season with a muddy pocket in the middle and also the 49ers need to get better movement in the run game. Wilson only started one year, but he’s 6’4″ 310 and his athletic scores from the combine are off the charts. I’ll take a chance with a guy from the SEC. Now the offensive line is complete with LT Trent Williams, LG Colton McKivitz, C Jared Wilson, RG Dom Puni and RT Aireontae Ersery. They’ll be some growing pains with two rookies and a 2nd year player, but the 49ers wanted to go cheaper and their line hopefully will be better and cheaper.
ROUND 3 PICK 3-100:
NEEDS: Edge, DT, Safety, CB, WR, TE, RB, T.
The offensive line is set and unless I see a TE or WR who fits really well, I need to concentrate on finding an edge, more DL depth and help for the secondary.
AVAILABLE: RB RJ Harvey UCF, T Anthony Belton NC State, TE Harold Fannin Bowling Green, DL Deone Walker Kentucky, WR Isiah Bond Texas, Edge Olu Oladejo UCLA, TE Gunnar Helm Texas, CB Mello Dotson Kansas, RB Jaydon Blue Texas.
A ton of talent for the 100th pick. Many have mocked Harvey to 49ers late but I can’t take a 3rd RB here too many other needs, I love Fannin with the 117 catches, but I don’t see the 49ers taking a catch only TE, I like the 6’6 345 pound Walker, but he’s a big boom or bust guy.
WITH THE 100TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT, THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT OLUWAFEMI OLADEJO, EDGE UCLA.
Oladejo has been mocked to the 49ers in full drafts quite a bit and word is the 49ers like him. It’s a position of need and he has raw skills, though he’s a bit undersized at 6’3″ 250. He had 7 sacks last season after spending time at Cal as an off-ball linebacker in 2022 and 2023. he’s a project and the 49ers would have to take some time to develop him.
ROUND 4 PICK 4-113:
NEEDS: DT, Safety, CB, WR, TE, RB, T.
We are putting check marks by needs! Looking at the board, this will be tough to choose. 49ers entering their happy zone.
AVAILABLE: Fannin, Walker, Helm, Dotson, Blue. DT Aeneas Peebles DT Virginia Tech, CB Cobee Bryant Kansas, DT Jamaree Caldwell Oregon, DT JJ Pegues Ole Miss, CB Nohl Williams Cal, LB Barrett Carter Clemson, OL Willie Lampkin North Carolina, WR Tory Horton Colorado State, TE Mitchell Evans Notre Dame.
I would love to pick Fannin, but I don’t think the 49ers will. It’s about the right time to take a chance on Walker’s size. Kansas has a couple nice corners on the board. Carter was a top prospect and has upside, Lampkin is a Larry Kreuger favorite. Horton has good size and is underrated. Evans is more the complete TE the 49ers like.
WITH THE 113TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT, THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT HAROLD FANNIN JR. TIGHT END BOWLING GREEN.
I know a 6’4″ 230 tight end, who is far more a pass catcher than a blocker isn’t normally the 49ers thing, but how can you ignore the production? They’ve been looking for a pass catching second tight end forever, and this guy can do that. I couldn’t resist, even if the fit may not be there.
ROUND 4 PICK 4-138:
NEEDS: DT, Safety, CB, WR, RB, T.
I took a flier last pick over bigger needs at DT and CB, so I need to make that up some time.
AVAILABLE: QB Riley Leonard Notre Dame, RB Brashard Smith SMU, QB Quinn Ewers Texas, RB Jarques Hunter Auburn, S Billy Bowman OU, G Luke Kandra UC, WR Kobe Hudson UCF, DL Simeon Barrow Miami, RB Trevor Etienne Georgia, CB Quincy Riley Louisville, WR Nick Nash SJSU
I only mention QB because there is a deep mid-round group who the 49ers could see as a developmental type down the road. Running back starts to come into play, and a couple from the secondary.
WITH THE 138TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT QUINCY RILEY CORNERBACK LOUISVILLE.
Riley has a track back ground and finished his college career with 17 interceptions. He’s has OK size, but isn’t physical, something he needs to fix if he’s going to play for the 49ers. They needed a developmental CB and that’s what Riley is.
ROUND 5 PICK 5-147:
A couple QBs are still sitting there, and it’s time to look at depth at wide receiver and running back as well as some depth on the defensive line.
AVAILABLE: Leonard, OT Chase Lundt UConn, WR Kobe Hudson UCF, Etienne, WR Kyle Williams WSU, Edge RJ Oben Notre Dame, LB Kobe King Penn State, DL Tonka Hemingway South Carolina, OT Emory Jones LSU.
WITH THE 147TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT EMORY JONES JR., OT LSU.
Jones Jr. was a top recruit out of High School who some say could play tackle or guard at 6’6″ 315. When picking later in the draft, position versatility is huge. Trent Williams is nearing the end and although I took an OT in the second round, Colton McKivitz is on the last year of his deal, so the 49ers need insurance.
ROUND 5 PICK 5-160:
The 49ers still need depth at DT, WR and RB. Safety would be nice, but at this point of the draft, it’s best available over positions of need.
WITH THE 160TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT, THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT DEONT’E THORNTON JR. WIDE RECEIVER TENNESSEE
Total flier. Guy caught 56 passes his entire career in college. 26-662-6 last season. However, he’s 6’5″ 220 and runs in the 4.3s, I’m sold. Likely too big of a chance and more likely a 6th or 7th rounder, but the 49ers found one WR from Tennessee who worked out pretty well, why not another?
ROUND 7 PICK 7-227:
Best available time. You may remember, the 49ers found Brock Purdy and Jauan Jennings in the 7th round, these aren’t throw away picks.
WITH THE 227TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT, THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT TY ROBINSON DEFENSIVE TACKLE NEBRASKA.
This is one of my favorite picks. Robinson had a good combine and could be part of an interior rotation. He’s got the size at 6’6 310 and production with 6 sacks and 25 QB hurries last season. His pass rush grade was better than his his run grade.
ROUND 7 PICK 7-249:
WITH THE 249TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT, THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT JALIN WALKER, LINEBACKER INDIANA.
He’s undersized at just 218 pounds, but he’s fast and a good special teams candidate. He could gain weight and keep his speed. 49ers always need LB depth.
ROUND 7 PICK 7-252:
WITH THE 252ND PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT RAHEIM SANDERS RUNNING BACK SOUTH CAROLINA.
Sanders is 6′ 217 pounds, but plays bigger. He’s a tough inside runner but has 4.46 speed. Played three years at Arkansas and his final season at South Carolina. Ran for 1,443 yards at 6.5 per with 10 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2022. Over 3,000 rushing yards for his career at two SEC schools.
MY FULL PFF 49ERS 1.0 DRAFT: PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS, GIVES ME A B-
