The San Francisco 49ers knew they were going to have to lean pretty heavily on their young players in 2025. They did just that, getting some solid contributions from rookies who were taken in that year's NFL Draft.
Cornerback Upton Stout was certainly a standout, and Alfred Collins showed promise on the defensive line.
However, looking back, the Niners probably wish they had gone in a different direction on some picks.
Entering the upcoming offseason, the 49ers are staring at the fact that they may very well have to replace four wide receivers. Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore could all very well depart, which would leave San Francisco in a very tough spot.
Recalling the 2025 draft, the Niners may very well be wishing they went a different direction in the first round.
49ers can cringe by passing on WR Emeka Egbuka
San Francisco selected edge rusher Mykel Williams with its first-round pick last year, No. 11 overall, and the rookie out of Georgia was seemingly getting better as the season went on before tearing his ACL in Week 9.
He figures to be a solid defensive lineman still, even though he's not particularly adept at sacking the quarterback. The hope is for that to change quickly.
However, ESPN recently did a re-draft of the first two rounds of the 2025 draft, and Nick Wagoner believes, with the benefit of hindsight, that San Francisco should have selected wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with its first-round pick.
Ultimately, Egbuka ended up going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 19th overall pick.
In 17 games last season, Egbuka caught 63 passes for 938 yards and six touchdowns. It was a solid showing for the rookie out of Ohio State, especially since he had to step up in a big way with Tampa Bay having so many injuries at wide receiver.
It's easy to look back and second guess things, but the Niners could have used a young, speedy threat like Egbuka. San Francisco was counting on having Ricky Pearsall and a healthy Aiyuk by midseason, but Pearsall was banged up basically the whole year, and the Aiyuk situation devolved into an untenable one.
Edge rusher was a key need for the 49ers, and it continues to be after they had the fewest sacks in the NFL last season (20), so it makes sense that San Francisco went with Williams.
But now, the Niners are probably going to have to draft a receiver from the upcoming 2026 class.
Maybe they get lucky and land a solid player, but it sure would be nice to have Egbuka, given the uncertainty at the position.