The 49ers got a haul of players in their 2025 NFL Draft class.
The San Francisco 49ers didn’t make one move in the 2025 NFL Draft, making all 11 of their picks for a deep draft class that included seven Day 3 picks.
San Francisco doubled up at several positions and targeted key needs, but there were still varying grades on how the 49ers fared in the draft.
After grading all of the team’s Day 1 and Day 2 picks, let’s finish things off with a full grading of the Day 3 picks.
DT C.J. West, Round 4, Pick 113: A-
I gave out my grade for West on draft day, but I was thoroughly pleased with the selection, double-dipping at a position of need with a really solid player for the draft spot.
I pointed out the defensive tackle’s run defense, with his pass-rush ability ultimately determining how well he’ll perform at the next level, but the 49ers may have gotten a Day 1 starter in the fourth round here.
WR Jordan Watkins, Round 4, Pick 138: C+
Watkins is an interesting case at receiver who tested very well, but didn’t maybe fully show that speed as a player. He’s undersized (5’11, 196 pounds) and may be more relegated to the slot, which crowds up that position with Jauan Jennings and Jacob Cowing both there.
There is special teams upside for Watkins, who has experience as a wide receiver, and he fills a need for the 49ers. Just not sure about where he fits as a player right now, and if he was the best selection there.
RB Jordan James, Round 5, Pick 147: B
Like with receiver, it was inevitable that the 49ers were taking a running back after trading Jordan Mason and losing Elijah Mitchell to free agency. And they did exactly that with Jordan James in the fifth round.
In a deep running back class, the 49ers waited to draft the position, but got a powerful runner who cuts well, which should be featured in San Francisco’s offensive system.
James isn’t a great athlete, so he won’t be prone to many homerun hitters, and he’ll have to improve in pass protection. But, he could figure into the rotation as a between-the-tackles power runner.
S Marques Sigle, Round 5, Pick 160: B-
San Francisco added a ton at safety this offseason with one-year deals, but news came out after the draft that they could be without Malik Mustapha for part of the 2025 season after the rookie suffered a significant injury in the season finale last year.
So, the 49ers added Kansas State safety Marques Sigle, who is a great athlete, running a 4.37 40-yard dash at 5’11, 199 pounds. He seems best fit for a run-defending role as a safety, and he has coverage experience, playing in the slot for a good portion of the 2024 season.
He could be more versatile in the secondary, but this seems like a special teams pick. Perhaps the future after George Odum?
QB Kurtis Rourke, Round 7, Pick 227: B-
The 49ers went after a quarterback after signing Mac Jones, taking Kurtis Rourke, who tore his ACL this year for Indiana.
Rourke has the intangibles the 49ers like with his toughness and experience. He has solid size (6’4, 220 pounds), although he’s entering his age-25 season and isn’t the most physically imposing thrower.
There doesn’t seem to be a big ceiling for Rourke, but he’s a possible future backup for Brock Purdy, which is fine in the seventh round.
OL Connor Colby, Round 7, Pick 249: B
The 49ers finally went with an offensive lineman and took Iowa’s Connor Colby, who seems like a solid scheme fit in San Francisco’s offense.
Colby stands 6’6, 309 pounds with fine athleticism and has significant starting experience, playing primarily guard, but also seeing some games at tackle.
He’s a developmental interior offensive lineman taken in the seventh round. The movement skills may limit any ceiling here, but it’s a solid pick for the spot and the fit.
WR Junior Bergen, Round 7, Pick 252: C+
Double-dipping at receiver is an interesting strategy, even if it is with the final pick in the seventh round.
Bergen seems like a special-teams guy as well, as he’s also a smaller receiver (5’9, 184 pounds) with special-teams experience. So, the 49ers drafted two players who may not be the most polished at their position itself, but have some upside as a returner. That seems a bit redundant and makes it hard to picture both on the 53-man roster.
The lack of top-end experience playing at Montana also makes it a tough projection to the next level.