We are just 16 days away from the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay!
49ers General Manager John Lynch has all but said the 2025 offseason is all about the draft. Version 1.0 dropped last Monday, let’s see what is in store for mock 2.0. I’ll do another mock next Monday and then I’ll drop one the night before the draft! It’s a seven round 49ers mock draft using the Pro Football Focus simulator and I limit myself to one trade during the seven rounds so we can make this as real as possible. The simulator is too easy to trade with so I limit it to one trade. I’ll let you know key players who are on the board when I pick for each round so you can mock my mock easier.
Let’s go for version 2.0…..
ROUND 1: 49ERS 1-11
Just like in version 1.0, my three favorite players who I like for the 49ers at #11 are gone. Mason Graham DT Michigan goes #4 to the Patriots, Will Campbell OT LSU goes #7 to the Jets and Armand Membou OT Missouri goes off the board #8 to the Panthers. Last week I used my trade here and moved back five spots to #16 in a move with the in division Cardinals. Do I move again or do I like someone enough that I don’t want to lose them?
I move back again. I flip four spots back to #15 this time with the Falcons. I give them 11 and 138, they give the 49ers 15 and 46. They take Texas DB Jahdae Barron, who many people have mocked to the 49ers, but I’m just not that high on him. I also lose TE Tyler Warren off the board to Dallas, Jalon Walker goes to Miami at 13, Edge Mike Green to the Colts and now I’m up again and have to keep my picks from here to make the exercise more realistic. I’m not moving down again, that’s very rare.
NEEDS: OT, DT, EDGE, OG, C, CB, S, WR, RB.
AVAILABLE: S Malaki Starks Georgia, WR Luther Burden III Missouri, Edge James Pearce Jr Tennessee, DT Kenneth Grant Michigan, OT/OG Josh Simmons Ohio State, CB Will Johnson Michgan, OT Kelvin Banks Texas, DT Walter Nolen Ole Miss, Mykel Williams Edge Georgia, Grey Zabel OL North Dakota State, Derrick Harmon DT Oregon.
In Mock 1.0 last week I took Grant. As much as I like the pick, I ran into a lot of good DTs later in the draft, it might be the deepest group, so I could wait. Grant is unique though at 6’4″ and 330 pounds with the ability to stuff the run and penetrate on passing downs. However, that would be boring, so let’s take a different route.
WITH THE 15TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT KELVIN BANKS JR. OFFENSIVE TACKLE TEXAS.
I may have reached a little for the third best tackle in the draft, but by taking Banks and putting him at RT, I move Colton McKivitz to left guard and my offensive line is nearly solved for 2025. I may have also found my left tackle of the future for when Trent Williams retires, which could be as soon as next season.
I know I need to spend most of the draft on defense, but I get protection for Purdy and now can focus on defense, now armed with the extra second round pick I grabbed from the Falcons in my trade down.
ROUND 2 PICK 2-43:
I have this pick at #43 and another thanks to my trade back with the Falcons at #46. I lost pick 138 overall in the deal.
I’ve taken care of right tackle and left guard with my pick on Kelvin Banks in the first round and unless there is an offensive player I can’t resist, it’s time to focus on defense, especially the defensive line. There are a couple good corners on the board and the 49ers need one and a couple good edge choices as well. Edge rushers Princely Umanmielen and Bradyn Swinson don’t fit the 49ers profile. Both are around 250 pounds and fit better as 3-4 outside linebackers so I pass on them despite the need for a rusher opposite Nick Bosa. Shavon Revel, the corner from East Carolina is coming off a major knee injury and that scares me away from him.
AVAILABLE: CB Tre Amos Ole Miss, DT Tyleik Williams Ohio State, Edge Landon Jackson Arkansas, CB Maxwell Harrison Kentucky, Edge JT Tuimoloau Ohio State, LB Demetrius Knight Jr South Carolina, LB Carson Schwesinger UCLA.
WITH THE 43RD PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT TREY AMOS CORNERBACK OLE MISS
This was a tough one, but the defensive line depth is very good in this draft and the 49ers need a third CB to go with Demo Lenoir and second-year starter Renardo Green. The 49ers signed former Seahawks corner Tre Brown, but he has been hurt a lot in his time in the league. Amos is an outside corner who will allow Lenoir to go inside to the slot on 3rd downs. Still need some beef up front and a linebacker to replace Dre Greenlaw.
ROUND 2 PICK 2-46:
I haven’t grabbed any defensive lineman yet and that is making me jumpy, but I also need a LB to replace Greenlaw. If a WR I liked fell, I might have to take one of those. I would like a pass catching TE behind Kittle and another guard or center on the offensive line.
AVAILABLE: DT Tyleik Williams Ohio State, Edge Landon Jackson Arkansas, CB Maxwell Harrison Kentucky, Edge JT Tuimoloau Ohio State, LB Demetrius Knight Jr South Carolina, LB Carson Schwesinger UCLA, RB Cam Skattebo ASU, TE Elijah Arroyo Miami, Edge Jared Ivey Ole mIss, DT Omarr Norman-Lott Tennessee.
WITH THE 46TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT DEMETRIUS KNIGHT JR, LINEBACKER SOUTH CAROLINA.
I took Knight in mock 1.0 and do it again here. This isn’t a great draft for off ball linebackers, especially one who is seen as a finished product who had good coverage numbers a year ago. Many college linebackers can move forward and hit, but the NFL requires high quality coverage skills and Knight has shown that. Hopefully he can step in and start right away.
ROUND 3 PICK 3-75:
The key players I liked picked between my last selection at #46 and this one at #75 was crushing. I was hoping underrated DT Omarr Norman-Lott would fall, he was taken at #64, 12 defensive lineman were taken in the last 29 picks. In reality, the 49ers would have likely stepped in with a trade during a run like that, but rules are rules and I already used up my trade for this draft.
AVAILABLE: WR Jalen Royals Utah State, WR Kyle Williams WSU, WR Tre Harris Ole Miss, WR Jaylin Noel Iowa State, LB Chris Paul Ole Miss, TE Terrance Ferguson Oregon, DL Jordan Phillips Maryland, C Jared Wilson Georgia, DL Joshua Farmer FSU, Edge Elijah Roberts SMU.
WITH THE 75TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT JORDAN PHILLIPS DT MARYLAND.
I put myself in a tough spot and had to grab an interior lineman to stop the run. Phillips won’t help the pass rush much, but the 49ers have had trouble stopping the run the last couple seasons and at 6’3″ and 320 pounds, he can do that. There was a ton of WR talent on the board, but I passed to finally fortify the defensive line. They still need more in there though.
ROUND 3 PICK 3-100:
I still need beef on the defensive line, I would like another guard or center too, but there are some skill players falling and a pass catching tight end is on my mind. Free agent signing Luke Farrell is a blocking tight end and won’t factor much into the pass game. He caught a career high 12 passes last season in Jacksonville, so he’s not a pass catcher.
AVAILABLE: WR Kyle Williams WSU, HB RJ Harvey UCF, T Cameron Williams Texas, S Lathan Ransom Ohio State, TE Harold Fannin Jr Bowling Green, Edge Kaimon Rucker UNC, RB Jayon Blue Texas, Edge Olu Oladejo UCLA.
WITH THE 100TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT KYLE WILLIAMS WR WASHINGTON STATE
I felt Williams was the last of a certain level of WR and then there was a drop off. He ran a 4.40 at the combine with a vertical of over 36″ at 5’11” 190 pounds. PFF had his man coverage grade at 89.9, something the 49ers value. He caught 70-1,196-14 last season for the Cougars. Defense is still needed, but with the Aiyuk injury, depth was also needed at WR.
ROUND 4 PICK 4-113:
Trenches time. Whether offense or defense, the 49ers need some beef.
AVAILABLE: HB Jaydon Blue Texas, LB Jeffrey Bassa Oregon, S Jonas sanker Virginia, TE Gunnar Helm Texas, DL Jamaree Caldwell Oregon, RB Brashard Smith SMU, DL JJ Pegues Ole Miss, LB Barrett Carter Clemson, G/C Willie Lampkin UNC, Edge Savion Jones LSU.
WITH THE 113TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT SAI’VION JONES EDGE LSU
Jones is a 6’6″ 280 pound edge who can also slide inside to defensive tackle. He only had 5 sacks last season for the Tigers, but his 32 hurries shows he can get there. Great size and someone for Kris Koucerek, the energetic defensive line coach for the 49ers to mold. Charles Omenihu type size.
ROUND 5 PICK 5-147:
Still looking for more line depth on both sides, a pass catching TE, safety and linebacker depth and maybe a RB.
AVAILABLE: RB Trevor Etienne, RB Brashard Smith SMU, TE Mitchell Evans Notre Dame, TE Jake Briningstool Clemson, QB Kyle McCord Syracuse, WR Dont’e Thorton, C Seth McLaughlin Ohio State
WITH THE 147TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT TREVOR ETIENNE RUNNING BACK GEORGIA.
Georgia running backs have had a good run of late in the NFL. Etienne is not as well regarded as his brother Travis of the Jaguars, but Trevor is explosive, experienced, can catch the ball and is likely ahead of current 49ers RB Isaac Guerendo, who is still raw despite his power and speed. With Jordan Mason moving on to the Vikings, the 49ers need RB depth.
ROUND 5 PICK 5-160:
WITH THE 160TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SLECT EMERY JONES OFFENSIVE TACKLE LSU.
Jones is 6’6″ 315 pounds and could play tackle or guard. Trent Williams is 37 and although I grabbed Kelvin Banks Jr with my first pick, Colton McKivitz is in the last year of his deal and I need OL depth. Jones was a top recruit and started three years at RT for the Tigers, though many think he could be a solid guard in the NFL. The 49ers could use another versatile lineman.
ROUND 7 PICK 7-227:
WITH THE 227TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT TY ROBINSON DEFENSIVE LINEMAN NEBRASKA
Robinson is 6’6″ 310 pounds and ran a 4.87 40 at the combine. He’s a great athlete who had 6 QB sacks and 25 hurries last season. His pass rush is ahead of his run defense at this point.
ROUND 7-249:
WITH THE 249TH PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT JOHNNY WALKER JR. EDGE MISSOURI
It doesn’t hurt his name is Johnny Walker. He’s 6’3″ 260 and had 10 sacks and 34 hurries in the SEC. He had a decent run grade as well. 49ers need depth on the edge.
ROUND 7 PICK 7-252:
WITH THE 252ND PICK IN THE 2025 NFL DRAFT THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SELECT EUGENE ASANTE LINEBACKER AUBURN
49ers always need LB depth for special teams. Not big at 6’1″ 220, but could develop.
SUMMARY: I like my first round pick in Banks Jr. to solidify the line now and in the future. Banks starts at RT this season, Colton McKivitz replaces Aaron Banks at LG. Hopefully Banks is the future LT after Williams retires. I like Amos’ size and think he could play in the nickel when Demo Lenior moves inside to slot. Knight Jr. would be slated to start next to Fred Warner and take Dre Greenlaw’s place. I waited too long on defensive tackles and had to grab a run stuffer with a lot of talent on the board with the 75th pick. I’m hoping Phillips can start and anchor the run defense. Williams is depth at WR until Aiyuk returns. He’s fast with decent size and was very productive in college. Jones is a big DE at 6’6 280 who can move inside at times. Etienne may be RB2. Emery Jones is a big, versatile OL project who can play tackle or guard. Robinson is a rotational piece on the D-line. Walker is a typical faster edge who can provide rush, he had 10 sacks last season. Asante is a special teams, depth piece at linebacker. The draft won’t solve all the 49ers issues, they’ll have to look for players released by teams after the draft to solidify more on the defensive line, possibly a veteran linebacker and a deep safety.
