What direction will the 49ers go in?
The first round of the NFL Draft is complete. The San Francisco 49ers drafted Mykel Williams, EDGE from Georgia, in an instant attempt to bolster their struggling run defense from 2024 with a stamp from returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. General Manager John Lynch tipped the pick in his pre-draft press conference by mentioning players who can set the edge. Williams excels at setting the edge in run defense.
Now, the focus turns to pick 43. The 49ers have several options with their first pick in the second round. Lynch spoke following the pick at 11, saying the 49ers will continue to add to the defensive line in this draft. The smart money is on at least two more picks to add to the defensive line room.
Let’s look at potential day-two fits for the 49ers.
DT Darius Alexander, Toledo
Defensive tackle is vital in the “wide nine” scheme for the 49ers. Alexander is a fit to eat up blocks and help Nick Bosa and Williams gain advantageous one-on-one matchups on the outside.
Over Alexander’s last three seasons at Toledo, PFF charted the defensive tackle with an increase in his defensive grade each season. If the emphasis is improving the run defense, Alexander peaked in 2024 with a run defense grade of 90.3.
On 327 pass-rushing snaps in 2024, Alexander totaled 37 pressures, eight QB hits, 25 hurries, and four sacks. It’s all about the trenches for the 49ers in this draft, Alexander fits immediately.
S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Could the 49ers look to another former Gamecock in the draft after drafting Deebo Samuel and Javon Kinlaw in previous drafts? Malik Mustapha is entrenched as a starter in 2025, with the other starting spot at safety up in the air. Ji’Ayir Brown struggled in 2024.
Emmanwori was a star at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his on-field presence matched the workout event. Finishing 2024 with an 86.8 coverage grade, allowing 24 receptions in 417 coverage snaps. With just a 7.2 missed tackle percentage and 73 tackles, Emmanwori fits the fast and heavy-hitting identity of Mustapha.
CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
After transferring from Alabama to Ole Miss, Amos was stellar in coverage in 2024. Over 515 coverage snaps, Amos allowed 51.6% of his targets to be caught and finished with an 85.6 coverage grade.
Adding to his coverage skills is his tackling prowess. Amos finished with 40 tackles and 16 defensive stops from the secondary. Amos did finish with an 11.5 missed tackle percentage, but an 76.4 tackling grade.
Adding a corner on the outside could free up Deommodore Lenoir to play inside more with Renardo Green as Amos’ running mate on the outside.
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
Burden profiles as a perfect Kyle Shanahan receiver. At first glance, Burden has been compared to Deebo Samuel, but watching his tape will show similarities and a more complete wide receiver. Burden took 462 snaps from the slot in 2024.
Although 2024 was a down year for Burden receiving, seeing his yard total drop from 1,209 yards to 676, he’s a plug-and-play option for the 49ers offense. On 39 fewer targets, Burden still finished with six touchdowns.
Burden’s ADOT rose to 9.1 from 8.7 in the previous season. The 49ers were missing YAC in 2024, and Burden can add that element to the passing attack.