49ers 2025 mock NFL Draft after Week 1: Stockpiling the secondary, O-line

The 49ers have to be thinking about younger and cheaper options at cornerback and the offensive line over the next few years.

The San Francisco 49ers are going to be forced into some tough decisions in 2025, largely due to what'll be a massive contract extension handed out to quarterback Brock Purdy, whose Week 1 efforts against the New York Jets reinforced the notion he'll be the long-term answer under center.

Slated to potentially earn more than $50 million per year on the new deal, the Niners will ultimately have to bid farewell to some of their top-paid talent in the relatively near future, especially considering they're already projected to be $12.65 million above the 2025 salary cap, according to Over the Cap.

This means hitting on some prospects in the still-a-long-way-away 2025 NFL Draft where most analysts feel San Francisco will be selecting toward the bottom of each round, assuming yet another deep playoff run.

So, accounting for some long-term needs, let's run a four-round mock for the 49ers, using Pro Football Focus' mock draft widget to find the Niners some prospective talent.

49ers 2025 4-round mock NFL Draft

A new contract extension for Brandon Aiyuk, plus a reworked deal for Deebo Samuel, probably mean both wide receivers are sticking around for a while. Tack on San Francisco's first-round addition of Ricky Pearsall, and one might assume another pass catcher isn't exactly a high priority for general manager John Lynch and Co.

However, the offensive line and secondary should be notable targets.

With the 31st overall pick (thank you, PFF, for another projected Super Bowl loss), the 49ers are on the clock.

The Niners are poised to lose two of their top cornerbacks in 2025, Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, who'll likely command hefty free-agent contracts elsewhere.

Sure, San Francisco used a second-round pick this year on Renardo Green, but finding another starting-caliber boundary corner should be atop the to-list.

Arizona's Tacario Davis fits the bill.

Early indications are the 49ers struck gold with rookie right guard Dominick Puni, who impressed with a solid effort during both preseason games and in Week 1. But that might only alleviate one side of the Niners offensive line, which is poised to lose left guard Aaron Banks to free agency in 2025.

Ohio State's Donovan Jackson is a pure left guard, has an imposing frame and can work in a variety of different schemes.

San Francisco might not just need one boundary cornerback but two, especially if it loses Isaac Yiadom after his one-year offseason deal expires in 2025.

Green is there, yes. But the 49ers are starting him out as a backup nickel corner, potentially replacing Lenoir over the slot.

If that proves to be a long-term fix, adding another up-and-coming defensive back to the boundary would be paramount, and someone like Nebraska's Tommi Hill would be a solid scheme fit and would be an excellent pickup toward the latter part of Round 3.

The Niners love themselves compensatory picks, and they get one here at the very end of the third round.

Wisconsin has a long history of producing NFL-level offensive linemen, and Jack Nelson appears to be one of the next in line to make an impact in the pros.

Boasting experience at guard, Nelson is now refined as a starting-caliber left tackle who could serve as a long-term replacement for future Hall of Famer Trent Williams, immediately stepping in as a swing-tackle backup until the latter eventually retires.

Another year, another attempt to find a worthy No. 2 backup to All-Pro tight end George Kittle.

On the wrong side of 30 years old, Kittle is still producing at a high level. But injuries are always going to be a concern, and the fact San Francisco has repeatedly tried (and failed) to identify a quality backup to him over the years suggests that strategy won't change in 2025.

Georgia's Benjamin Yurosek, a transfer from Stanford, has enough upside to suggest he can be a quality alternate to Kittle right away, capable of lining up all over the formation while holding his own as a blocker, both in line and out on the perimeter.

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