In the latest 2025 NFL mock draft for ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers have a clear direction in which they want to head.
ESPN’s Matt Miller shared his latest two-round mock draft following the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl all-star events. It has the 49ers looking to the trenches for help.
In Miller’s two-round mock, the 49ers select Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons at No. 11 overall and then North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel in the second round with pick No. 43.
San Francisco would have to weigh injury concerns with Simmons. The 6-foot-5, 310 pound offensive tackle had a season-ending knee surgery that ended his 2024 college football season.
Despite the injury, Simmons is currently ranked as ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s No. 3 offensive tackle in this draft class.
Christian McCaffrey‘s injury issues were the headline for the 49ers’ offensive woes this season, yet their offensive line was a mess and will be a priority fix for general manager John Lynch. The 49ers made a great selection on guard Dominick Puni in the third round of the 2024 draft, but a plug-and-play right tackle who could eventually take over for All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams could be the next step. – Miller, ESPN.
The 49ers bolstering their offensive tackle group with their first selection and perhaps finding Williams’ eventual successor at left tackle has been a common idea among draft analysts.
Doubling down up front hasn’t necessarily been as common, though. Miller came away impressed with what he saw from former NDSU offensive lineman Zabel at the Senior Bowl.
Zabel played left tackle for North Dakota State as he helped guide the Bison to an FCS national championship this past season. The 6-foot-6, 316 pound offensive lineman has played all over though throughout his collegiate career.
Zabel appeared in 62 games with NDSU during his college career and also made starts at left guard, right guard and right tackle.
During the Senior Bowl, Zabel got in a drive at center as well. The center position is where Miller sees Zabel slotting in for the 49ers.
The 49ers could address the offensive line again to try to further fix that problem unit. Zabel has played tackle, guard and center, but I think he fits best inside, where his toughness and awareness could make him a star. He turned heads during Senior Bowl practices. – Miller, ESPN.
Zabel’s positional versatility would certainly be a welcome sight for San Francisco.
Zabel was named the Senior Bowl Overall Practice Player of the Week in a poll by 32 NFL executives for his performances in Mobile, Ala.
Addressing its offensive line to create running lanes for star running back Christian McCaffrey and to help keep quarterback Brock Purdy clean is a draft avenue that most 49ers fans could support.