As discourse about how well or how poorly the San Francisco 49ers draft rages on, after the team’s most recent draft and offseason moves, it seems clear that some players from the Niners' 2025 draft class are in trouble ahead of next season.
Let’s take a look at three guys who may not get very much playing time.
Nick Martin
It seemed like the Niners reached when they selected linebacker Nick Martin in the third round last year out of Oklahoma State. That hunch was seemingly proven after the 49ers were clearly reluctant to play him in his rookie season, and he only got out on the field because of how decimated San Francisco was at linebacker.
He played in seven games and recorded just 11 combined tackles, as he was mostly limited to special teams duties. A concussion ended his season prematurely, but it was clear the 49ers didn’t want him out there on defense.
San Francisco didn’t draft a traditional linebacker this year, but Jaden Dugger is an interesting option for the defense as he could fill a hybrid role. Bringing back Dre Greenlaw makes it harder for every other linebacker on the roster to get playing time if he can stay healthy, which is a big "if," so Martin may be iced out in year two as well.
Jordan Watkins
Wide receiver Jordan Watkins was drafted by the Niners out of Ole Miss in the fourth round last year. He missed the early part of the season due to an injury and only ended up playing in four games. He had two catches on three targets for 26 yards.
After the 49ers signed Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, and then drafted De’Zhaun Stribling, also out of Ole Miss, with their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, that makes one wonder where Watkins will fit into things.
As of right now, Evans, Ricky Pearsall, and Kirk figure to be the top three receivers on the depth chart. After that, maybe Demarcus Robinson is fourth, which leaves Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and Stribling to fill out the last few spots.
Injuries always happen, so there’s a chance that could open the door for Watkins, but he will need to differentiate himself from the pack in training camp and the preseason if he wants to be a factor.
CJ West
After the 49ers swung a trade with the Dallas Cowboys for Osa Odighizuwa, their two starting interior defensive linemen for next season appear to be Odighizuwa and Alfred Collins.
CJ West will still figure into the equation somehow, but after the Niners drafted defensive tackle Gracen Halton out of Oklahoma in the fourth round, the same round West was drafted last year, the latter may have to battle for playing time.
West did alright last season, but Collins definitely stood out more for San Francisco. West needs to step up his game and keep pace with Halton so he doesn’t get lapped.
These three players haven’t exactly helped those arguing that the 49ers have drafted well in recent years. They will need to be solid next season, otherwise that will just be more fuel for those who think the Niners have done a poor job of adding talent through the draft as of late.
Add us as a preferred source on Google