49ers 2025 mock NFL Draft after Week 2: Overreacting to Niners' 1st loss

The 49ers' first loss of the year should cause some overreactions, but those carry influence in our latest four-round mock NFL Draft.

The San Francisco 49ers' first loss of the 2024 season, a 23-17 defeat on the road at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings, revealed a number of potential problems for head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co.

Quarterback Brock Purdy took six sacks in the game, which suggests the Niners offensive line might not be as potent as originally thought after the Week 1 opener. Shanahan's offense struggled on third down, too, going 2-of-10 in the contest and highlighting just how much the team misses still-injured All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.

There's also a gap between San Francisco's top defensive linemen and those tasked with coming in for reserve duties.

Although none of those completely explain what went wrong at US Bank Stadium.

It's still early, and it's anyone's guess how the regular season will pan out. But, looking far ahead, what may the 49ers do next April in the 2025 NFL Draft if the troubling trends from Week 2 continue?

Let's take a look by issuing out another four-round mock, using our trusty Pro Football Focus widget that has the Niners selecting at No. 31 overall.

49ers' 4-round mock NFL Draft after Week 2 loss to Vikings

Our previous mock had San Francisco stockpiling both the O-line and cornerback positions, which are still a need heading into 2025 but might not garner quite as much focus this go-around.

If anything, the 49ers may need to take a more well-rounded approach with their five picks in the first four rounds.

Colton McKivitz is still the Niners' biggest liability on the O-line, and he was responsible for a team-high six pressures allowed in Week 2.

San Francisco passed on drafting a tackle early last year, and it's paying the price for it now.

LSU's Emery Jones has experience at guard, but the 6-foot-6 and 322-pounder is primarily a right tackle who can be plugged in and play from day one, using his strengths in pass protection to anchor Purdy's front side for years to come.

The 49ers could have used more interior pass-rushing efforts in Week 2, and their inside run defense remains suspect despite adding defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott during the offseason.

Even with those two, and paired with veteran Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave, the interior's depth is a question mark, and it could stand for some younger, cheaper reinforcements within the pipeline.

Ohio State's Tyleik Williams, 6-foot-3 and 327-pounds, has incredible athleticism and disruptive power. And while he's not quite a finished product, thereby requiring some coaching at the pro level, he could easily be a long-term replacement for the aging Hargrave.

Cornerback is still a need for the Niners despite adding Renardo Green last April. Through two weeks, it's pretty clear San Francisco will be challenged to re-sign both Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, who have played well thus far.

With few options in the pipeline, getting a versatile defensive back like Louisville's Quincy Riley toward the end of Round 3 would help.

The 6-foot-0 Riley is adept in both zone and man coverages. Possessing some solid ballhawking skills, Riley could be a short-term answer for replacing Lenoir while eventually working his way toward boundary duties if he adds some muscle to his frame.

Week 2 revealed the massive gap between All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and, well... everyone else.

Granted, Warner is a Hall of Famer in the making, but it's clear the 49ers miss his linemate, Dre Greenlaw, who is still recovering from last season's Achilles tear and may be too expensive to re-sign once he hits free agency in 2025 anyway.

Sure, there's promise with younger backers currently on the roster, Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune. But the Niners have thrived with two top-level linebackers for years now, and adding another high-potential one with a third-round compensatory pick would be smart.

Enter Utah's Karene Reid, who plays with exceptional smarts and technique despite his diminutive 6-foot-0 and 226-pound frame.

McCaffrey isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and third-year pro Jordan Mason has done an admirable job filling in for the reigning Offensive Player of the Year.

That said, Shanahan has long shuffled his backup running backs over the years, and another change-up could be coming in 2025, especially if San Francisco opts not to tender Mason, a restricted free agent next year, allowing him to assume a larger role elsewhere.

This would leave rookie Isaac Guerendo as a backup possibility, but he hasn't shown much over the first two weeks and might need some added competition to support McCaffrey.

Oregon's Jordan James, 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds, looks every bit a Shanahan-type tailback with dual-threat capabilities, excellent hands and a solid route tree for a running back. Plus, James is made for a quick-cut zone-style scheme.

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