There are several ways to construct a successful NFL roster, but only one method gets tried and true results: building a team through the draft.
The San Francisco 49ers fell wildly short of expectations during the 2024 NFL season, but fortunately, that has no bearing on 2025. The team is well-equipped once again to make a Super Bowl run, and it is precisely because of John Lynch's drafting prowess over the years.
Not only has the team struck draft gold during Lynch's tenure with early-round prospects like Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, but a handful of late-round prospects have been big difference makers as well.
49ers have found several draft gems under GM John Lynch
George Kittle, Dre Greenlaw and D.J. Jones are older examples of these Day 3 steals, but Lynch has enjoyed similar success in recent drafts as well. On Monday, Bleacher Report's Matt Holder went through each of the last five NFL Drafts and found that the 49ers had three of the biggest gems.
Brock Purdy was the obvious choice as the top draft gem for the class of 2022, as the former Mr. Irrelevant is now a $265 million man. However, both Talanoa Hufanga in 2021 and Malik Mustapha in 2024 were considered honorable mentions.
While Hufanga is no longer in San Francisco, this kind of acknolwedgement should give 49ers fans confidence about the team's choice to build through the draft once again this season. San Francisco was active in the 2025 draft, bringing home 11 players.
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The early rounds are obviously exciting, but the 49ers were able to land seven draft selections on Day 3, which could provide incredible value for the franchise. Both Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins should be starters in Week 1, but players like Upton Stout, Nick Martin and CJ West should all play pivotal roles as well.
With a highly-paid quarterback and a fleet of offensive pieces that includes Kittle, Aiyuk and Chrstian McCaffrey, as well as Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, this 49ers team should contend for a Super Bowl again in 2025.
All eyes will be on the team's young defensive pieces to grow up in a hurry and provide resistance against NFL offenses right away. Fortunately, Lynch's history indicates that these players will pan out just fine, if not turn into All-Pro level players.