The 2025 NFL Draft is almost here. On Thursday, all 32 NFL teams begin the next step in the process to improving their rosters.
While the college ranks have a number of high-profile and athletic prospects to complement the locker room, there are a few positions that appear bleak. The San Francisco 49ers are looking to extend their title window and make their way back to the Super Bowl, yet they have a slew of vacancies after what's been a tumultuous offseason laden with player departures.
Thus, to ensure that this happens, scouts for head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. need to steer clear of these three positions over the course of the three-day draft.
1. Quarterback
Despite the ongoing contract negotiations between the Niners front office and their starting quarterback, Brock Purdy, there's no need to spend a draft pick on another signal-caller.
This winter, general manager John Lynch let backup Joshua Dobbs walk in free agency. That left the opening to bring in a youthful veteran in Mac Jones.
San Francisco has seven picks within the draft's first 150 spots. That includes the 11th overall selection, in addition to three picks on Day 2.
According to CBS Sports.com, players like Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart are among the top six projected quarterbacks to be selected in the week's NFL Draft. None offer an immediate upgrade over Purdy.
There are a number of more pressing positions and needs for the 49ers to fill. Taking a quarterback in this year's draft offers little improvement and no valid upgrade given the team's championship aspirations.
2. Center
The offensive line is a critical part of a team's success. It can also easily attribute to a team's downfall. For instance, ask the Chicago Bears who allowed a league-high 68 sacks in 2024.
The Bears subsequently made a number of moves to improve their O-line this offseason. Though the 49ers should look to do the same, the center position is not the way to go for this draft if you're San Francisco.
The current starting center is eight-year veteran Jake Brendel. Behind him on the depth chart is Matt Hennessy and former Michigan Wolverine Drake Nugent.
Picking a center seems trivial while the need is greater at the guard or tackle. Offensive tackle Trent Williams turns 37 years old before the regular season, and guard Jon Feliciano has recently retired.
Drafting for their replacements is certainly vital if San Francisco looks to protect Purdy and establish an efficient run game behind Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo.
Brendel might be seen as a weakness, but he's not the most pressing issue here.
3. Wide Receiver
Last year, the 49ers selected a pair of receivers in the NFL Draft. Ricky Pearsall was taken in the the first round, and Jacob Cowing was named a few rounds after.
Furthermore, San Francisco took a running back in last year's draft. Guerendo became a staple late in the season following a series of injuries to McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, and Elijah Mitchell, too.
Then, add right guard Dominic Puni, and that's four rookies for the offensive side of the ball. Blending that many new players with an established offensive powerhouse is risky. Risky enough for Lynch and Shanahan to want to stay away from in 2025.
Even though San Francisco moved on from wide receiver Deebo Samuel, it still has Jauan Jennings and an ailing Brandon Aiyuk. The newly extended star receiver is recovering from his ACL tear mid-season a year ago.
Veteran players like Russell Gage and DeMarcus Robinson are also listed on the 49ers' depth chart at receiver. Another athletic target with experience may become available once the preseason cuts start to roll in.
For now, adding a rookie downfield for Purdy, Jones or whoever takes the field as San Francisco's quarterback hinders their chances to return the NFC Championship game and win, again.