Grading every 49ers 2025 draft pick (with 1 bold prediction for each)

The 49ers need their 2025 NFL Draft class to provide an impact early, and there's a solid chance this is exactly what happens.

In recent years, the San Francisco 49ers' focus in the NFL Draft was to find players who'd have the best shot at earning a roster spot, which made sense in light of head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad laden with Pro Bowlers and All-Pros.

In 2025, however, the Niners entered draft season following a massive exodus of key talent, meaning Shanahan and general manager John Lynch needed to cash in on immediate contributors who'd become long-term cornerstones.

Especially on defense where many of those departures will be felt.

San Francisco led off its 2025 class with the 11th overall pick, grabbing defensive end Mykel Williams out of Georgia, before doubling down on defensive line needs and taking Alfred Collins from Texas.

Here's the full list of the newest 49ers rookies:

• Round 1, No. 11 overall: DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
• Round 2, No. 43 overall: DL Alfred Collins, Texas
• Round 3, No. 75 overall: LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
• Round 3, No. 100 overall: DB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
• Round 4, No. 113 overall: DL C.J. West, Indiana
• Round 5, No. 147 overall: RB Jordan James, Oregon
• Round 5, No. 160 overall: DB Marques Sigle, Kansas State
• Round 7, No. 227 overall: QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
• Round 7, No. 249 overall: OL Connor Colby, Iowa
• Round 7, No. 252 overall: WR Junior Bergen, Montana

In terms of blending need, talent and value, let's examine and grade each one of the Niners' picks.

And add a bold prediction for each while we're at it.

Grading each 49ers pick from the 2025 NFL Draft (with a prediction)

Williams fills an immediate need: a bookend pass-rusher to pair with All-Pro edge Nick Bosa, and San Francisco's top pick is the epitome of returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh's influence.

A banged-up 2024 campaign hindered Williams' efforts. But, if he plays like he did in 2023, the 49ers got an absolute gem who already is great against the run. About the only thing knocking this pick down from an A-grade is the fact the Niners could have addressed pass-rush needs later while focusing on less-deep positions with their top pick.

Bold prediction: Williams notches double-digit sacks in year one.

Stopping the run was a major theme for San Francisco in this year's draft, and the massive 6-foot-6 and 332-pound Collins does just that.

The interior pass rush isn't quite there, and there were quality run stoppers later in the draft. But Collins is an immovable object, and opposing offenses won't be able to run against the 49ers' defensive interior anymore.

Bold prediction: Collins bumps Kalia Davis off Niners roster by Week 1.

San Francisco desperately needed to replace linebacker Dre Greenlaw, and the hope is Nick Martin can step in right away and do that.

When healthy, the 6-foot, 221-pound Martin can do just that. He flies around the field and isn't shy about getting physical, but there may be questions about injuries and coverage skills.

Bold prediction: Martin secures the LB2 starting job alongside Fred Warner by Week 1.

The 49ers may have reached a bit on Western Kentucky defensive back Upton Stout, whose undersized 5-foot-9 and 181-pound frame essentially limits him to nickel or free safety duties.

The Niners need that, though, and the video of Stout receiving the phone call from Lynch and Shanahan is all the hype:

Bold prediction: Stout emerges as a starter in 2026 but sees special teams duties his rookie year.

Grabbing Collins solved only part of San Francisco's interior D-line needs, and Saleh has always preferred short and squatty 1-technique nose tackles, which is where C.J. West fits in.

While the sack numbers aren't there, the pressures are. He's violent and disruptive, which makes his fit as an interior defender a perfect one.

Bold prediction: West seizes a starting job right out of training camp.

If the 49ers are envisioning Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins as a punt returner early, this pick makes a lot more sense. There's a need there.

The Niners have questions at the position, but there were other better receivers available. While Watkins had a fast NFL Combine, his route tree is limited, and it's hard seeing him making much of an impact anytime soon.

Bold prediction: Watkins spends his rookie season in Shanahan's proverbial doghouse.

Future Hall of Famer Frank Gore apparently signed off on San Francisco selecting Oregon tailback Jordan James, whose dual-threat and one-cut abilities should make him a solid fit in Shanahan's offense.

The 49ers churned through too many running backs last season to avoid making such a pick.

Bold prediction: Jordan James pushes No. 2 rusher Isaac Guerendo down the depth chart.

Despite Stout's earlier selection, the Niners doubled down on slot-type defensive backs by grabbing an elite tester from the NFL Combine, Kansas State's Marques Single, who led all safeties with a 4.37 40-yard time.

A hard hitter with versatility, it's fair to wonder if his addition keeps Stout from ascending the depth chart.

Bold prediction: Sigle sees starting reps before Stout.

The Niners lost backup quarterbacks Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen to free agency during the offseason. And despite adding Mac Jones under center to support Brock Purdy, it never hurts to take a flier on a late-round signal-caller.

Just ask Purdy.

Kurtis Rourke led NCAA in passing stats in 2022 before heading to Indiana, and his toughness can't be questioned. He's a solid candidate to be a long-term backup, maybe more in time.

Bold prediction: Rourke becomes the No. 2 to Purdy in three years' time.

It's a little odd San Francisco waited until Round 7 to grab an offensive linemen, especially considering it lost Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore to free agency last March.

Iowa's Connor Colby is a developmental piece in need of some refinement before he can be counted upon as a reliable backup, which is probably his ceiling. A bit clunky, Colby nevertheless is a good fit in a zone-style blocking system, and that'll help his chances of hanging around.

Bold prediction: Colby makes the 53-man roster in year one.

Nothing against Montana wide receiver Junior Bergen, but the 49ers didn't exactly need another small wide receiver who can help in the return game, although some competition with Watkins isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Bergen is a long shot to make the roster, and it might have been smarter to grab another defensive back or O-lineman here instead.

Bold prediction: Bergen is the first of this draft class to not make the 53-man roster.

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