With the 2025 NFL Draft three weeks away, speculation is heating up about how the 49ers will use their top selection. San Francisco holds the No. 11 overall pick and the most total picks (11) in this year's draft, giving them both flexibility and ammunition to make a move if the right opportunity arises.
While linemen, cornerbacks, and linebackers remain popular targets for the 49ers at No. 11, some experts believe the team could trade up or maneuver within the first round to secure a top-tier talent. This week's mock drafts feature multiple trade scenarios, including bold moves for a star cornerback, a dominant edge rusher, and a premier offensive lineman.
Here's a look at the latest projections for how the 49ers could approach their first-round selection.
- Travis Hunter - WR/CB, Colorado
*Trade: 49ers receive: No. 4 pick, G Cole Strange; Patriots receive No. 11 pick, WR Brandon Aiyuk
"In this scenario, the 49ers could draft Hunter, who would appeal to both (Kyle) Shanahan, an offensive mastermind, and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Remember that Saleh turned around his Jets defense by drafting Sauce Gardner, who was an instant superstar corner after being taken with the No. 4 pick in 2022. Hunter would fill a huge hole for the 49ers, a position we've seen the franchise previously prioritize with free agent signings such as Richard Sherman and Charvarius Ward."
- Armand Membou - T, Missouri
*Trade: 49ers receive No. 8 pick; Panthers receive No. 11 pick and No. 100 pick
"The 49ers move up three spots to get ahead of New Orleans and take Membou. He's a perfect scheme fit for Kyle Shanahan's offense. Membou played the ninth-most outside-zone run snaps at Missouri in 2024 while posting an excellent 80.7 PFF run-blocking grade. He joins Dominick Puni to form a potentially dominant right side of San Francisco's offensive line."
- Mykel Williams - EDGE, Georgia
*Trade: 49ers receive: No. 6 pick; Raiders receive No. 11 pick, No. 100 pick, 2026 third-round pick
"The 49ers need help in the trenches and Williams fits the archetype they like at the position as a long, powerful, athletic edge rusher. Armed with a compensatory pick in the third round (and potentially another one in the 2026 draft), they make the move up from No. 11 without losing too much draft ammunition."
- Jalon Walker - LB, Georgia
"The 49ers are now without LB Dre Greenlaw and edge Leonard Floyd; technically, Walker can help at both spots. Finding his exact role and position will be key, but the dynamic Georgia defender can be a traditional off-ball linebacker on typical run downs and rush the quarterback in passing situations."
- Mike Green - EDGE, Marshall
"The Niners are determined to pump up their pass rush, and Green is the choice to help them in that effort. Green's performance during Senior Bowl week showed his vast potential."
- Jahdae Barron - CB, Texas
"Adding a versatile defender on the perimeter would enable reinstated DC Robert Saleh to get creative with his sub-packages in 2025."
- Will Johnson - CB, Michigan
"Top cornerback Charvarius Ward signed with the Colts in free agency, so the 49ers need a legit CB1 with all the receiver talent out in the NFC West, namely Puka Nacua, Marvin Harrison Jr., Davante Adams and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, among others. Will Johnson, whose 31.0 passer rating when targeted was the second best in college football since 2022 (minimum 100 targets), fills a big need."
