San Francisco took 11 rookies in the draft. What’s the expectation for all 11 players?
The San Francisco 49ers tied the league-high with 11 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, electing to stick-and-pick at every one of their selections, rather than make a single trade.
San Francisco went defense-heavy to start the draft, taking five straight defensive players before their first offensive selection, as they addressed a number of needs over the three-day period.
It was a quiet offseason for the 49ers, who didn’t make any meaningful free agent signings after letting several key players walk, so the draft was crucial to shoring up holes.
So, let’s evaluate every selection and see what the expectations should be for each rookie in 2025.
DE Mykel Williams
San Francisco’s top selection is one of the youngest players in the draft, but also considered one of the safer prospects, given his floor as a run defender.
I expect him to compete for a Day 1 starting job with Yetur-Gross Matos, but Williams should be an every-down player as a starter. He has the option of kicking in on passing downs, as his elite length and bigger frame on the edge could fare well against interior offensive linemen.
But, with San Francisco’s lack of top-end options on the edge and Williams’s excitement to play in a wide-9 system, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sticks at defensive end on passing downs in Year 1 as he grows more into his frame.
Nonetheless, Williams should be a key contributor in Year 1.
DT Alfred Collins
Collins was another early investment on the defensive line, and he comes in with a massive 6’6, 332-pound frame that should help the 49ers against the run instantly.
The 49ers have a solid run defender with Jordan Elliott already, and Collins gives another one who should help the 49ers on early downs.
Now, Collins does have some development needed as a pass-rusher, but the 49ers also don’t have many high-end options there either. So, he should definitely fit into the rotation as a rookie, and could even be a starter on the interior, while subbing out on occasion on passing downs for players like Kevin Givens and others.
LB Nick Martin
Perhaps the most scrutinized pick on Day 2 for the 49ers, Nick Martin was considered a reach by some, which is fair when understanding that there wasn’t another linebacker taken in the third round.
But, Martin fits the 49ers’ style of play, and he should immediately be in the mix for the No. 2 linebacker role behind Fred Warner. That was a big need for the 49ers in the offseason, and they may have gotten a potential starter in the third round at the position.
Even if he doesn’t earn the starting role over a player like Dee Winters, Martin should compete for a sub-linebacker role and be a factor on special teams.
CB Upton Stout
Like the Nick Martin pick, there were some reservations about the Upton Stout selection to end the third round.
But, also like Martin, Stout seems to fit the 49ers’ style of play as a physical, aggressive cornerback with good athleticism. The only knock is that he seems to be a nickel-only cornerback, which takes away some of the versatility in the secondary and moves Deommodore Lenoir back to the outside.
With the current cornerback room, Stout should very well compete for a starting job, and could even be the favorite if the 49ers make the decision to move Lenoir to the boundary permanent.
DT C.J. West
The 49ers double-dipped at defensive tackle, taking C.J. West with their first fourth-round selection.
West is another capable run defender at 6’1, 316 pounds, and has good athleticism to overcome the smaller frame and length. He’s disruptive, which should give him a chance to compete for a rotational spot on the defensive line.
The 49ers need depth at the position, and West should provide that as a rookie, giving the 49ers five potential first-year defenders who should make an impact in 2024.
WR Jordan Watkins
Watkins comes in with a good athletic profile after running a 4.37 40-yard dash. It’s unclear how much of a role he can carve out offensively as a rookie, but he should compete as a returner as he develops as a receiver.
This seems like more of a developmental/special-teams move for the 49ers, so the impact as a rookie is a little harder to see early on.
RB Jordan James
It was clear the 49ers were going to take a running back in the 2025 class after losing Elijah Mitchell to free agency and trading Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings.
They waited until the fifth round before taking Oregon’s Jordan James, who is a physical, compact runner without much athleticism.
James’s power and toughness could get him to the field, but he’ll probably start the year as the team’s RB3 or RB4 behind Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, and (possibly) Patrick Taylor Jr.
But, knowing the team’s injury history at the position, James will probably see the field at some point in 2025.
S Marques Sigle
In the wake of Malik Mustapha’s significant injury, the 49ers took safety Marques Sigle in the fifth round. Sigle is a great athlete, but isn’t the best in coverage and struggles with tackling at times.
That indicates special-teamer to me, and the 49ers have players capable of doing that role, such as George Odum. So, it’s unclear how or if Sigle will see the field in 2025, with special teams being the most likely option if he makes the roster.
With 11 draft picks and a room loaded with depth behind Mustapha (Ji’Ayir Brown, Odum, Jason Pinnock, Richie Grant), it’ll be a competition for Sigle coming into training camp.
QB Kurtis Rourke
The 49ers took another seventh-round quarterback, selecting Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke with the No. 227 overall pick.
Rourke’s traits and toughness stand out, but his recovery from a torn ACL could sideline his entire rookie season. If he’s healthy, he can compete with Tanner Mordecai for the QB3 job behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones, but that seems like the ceiling for his rookie year expectations currently.
OG Connor Colby
San Francisco finally took an offensive lineman in the seventh round with Iowa’s Connor Colby.
Colby will get a chance to compete for a backup interior offensive line spot alongside Spencer Burford, Nick Zakelj, Matt Hennessey, and others. It may be an uphill climb to make the roster, but a backup job would be the expectation if Colby cracks the final 53.
WR Junior Bergen
The 49ers surprisingly double-dipped at wide receiver to end the draft, taking Montana’s Junior Bergen.
A smaller wideout who stands 5’9, 184 pounds, Bergen’s primary asset is as a punt returner, which coincidentally may be the role that Jordan Watkins is suited for as a rookie.
So, there could be a competition between the two and a few other incumbents this season, and Bergen will have an uphill climb facing much tougher competition.