It's draft season! With the NFL Draft just 11 weeks away, all eyes are on how the San Francisco 49ers will use their picks to reload for the 2025 season.
For the first time since 2021, the 49ers hold a top-15 pick, currently slated at No. 11 overall. That premium selection, along with six additional picks (with a potential for additional compensatory picks), gives president of football operations/general manager John Lynch and San Francisco's front office plenty of flexibility to make an impact.
Here's an early look at what draft experts and analysts are projecting for the 49ers first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft:
- Mason Graham - DT, Michigan
"The 49ers pride themselves on maintaining a high-caliber defensive front, and cracks along the interior can be spackled with the addition of Michigan's high-energy DT."
- Armand Membou - OL, Missouri
"It's too bad we didn't get to see him at the Senior Bowl; for a snapshot of Membou's talent, throw on the South Carolina game. He controlled some excellent defensive linemen in that November tilt."
- Will Johnson - CB, Michigan
"The return of Robert Saleh as defensive coordinator could prompt the 49ers to invest in a top cover corner to match up with the talented receivers within the division."
- Armand Membou - IOL, Missouri
"Membou is the most technically sound offensive lineman in this class. He reminds me of Aljah Vera-Tucker when he entered the league. Membou will be an exceptional guard who can also play tackle if needed."
- Kelvin Banks Jr. - OT, Texas
"Banks has a ton of experience, having started 42 games over his college career – and he allowed only three sacks over that time. I'm curious to see his combine measurements – height might be a question mark if he's 6-3 or shorter – but he has the movement traits and strength to seal off the edge in pass protection... It's time to start planning for the future. Plus, Banks could help on the right side for now, where the Niners have missed Mike McGlinchey (signed with Denver two years ago)."
- Josh Simmons - OT, Ohio State
"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. Simmons is recovering from a torn ACL suffered Oct. 12, but he was in the mix to be the first tackle off the board prior to getting hurt."
- Will Campbell - OL, LSU
"This all-eligible mock draft is all about projecting the future, and that is what general manager John Lynch might be considering should Campbell still be on the board. Campbell has starred at left tackle for LSU and possesses the size and balance to remain there in the NFL. He's also quite physical, with some believing he could be even more effective at guard."
- Walter Nolen - DL, Ole Miss
"With the return of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, San Francisco needs to re-invest in its interior defensive line to return to the glory years. Walter Nolen is one of the most talented in this class."
- James Pearce Jr. - EDGE, Tennessee
"James Pearce Jr. is a long, bendy edge rusher with elite-level speed-to-power conversion and plenty of room to grow into his frame in the NFL. Running mate for Nick Bosa."
- Jihaad Campbell - LB, Alabama
"Campbell is, in a word, explosive. He can rush the pass from the edge, or play off-ball linebacker and he'll look like the best player on the field from either position. He's one of the best athletes in this class, and the scary part is he's just scratching the surface; he's going to get bigger, stronger and faster – he won't turn 21 until February."
- Kelvin Banks Jr. - T, Texas
"Selecting the Texas tackle would address both an immediate need on the interior and provide a long-term solution at tackle."
- Josh Simmons - OT, Ohio State
"The 49ers find themselves in a good spot to invest heavily in hog-mollies early in the 2025 NFL Draft."
