San Francisco's 47-24 loss to Arizona ended the 2024-2025 regular season and finalized their position in the first round of April's NFL Draft.
The San Francisco 49ers ended the regular season in less-than-elegant fashion Sunday afternoon at State Farm Stadium, where a three-score loss to the Cardinals cemented San Francisco's No. 11 position in the upcoming NFL Draft. Capping a four-game skid, the defeat brought a disappointing end to a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations but fell well short of the playoffs.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan now face a critical offseason evaluation period. The 49ers' front office has historically demonstrated flexibility in the first round, showing a willingness to hold their position, trade up for a targeted player, or trade down to acquire additional picks. This flexibility may play a part in maximizing the value of their No. 11 selection.
The 2025 NFL Draft will be hosted in Green Bay—a historic first for the city. The three-day event, beginning April 24, will be centered around Lambeau Field and its surrounding area, marking the first time the iconic venue will host the NFL's annual player selection process.
For the 49ers, the No. 11 pick is their highest since 2019 and a significant opportunity to bolster their roster. This selection will be pivotal in their efforts to rebound from a disappointing season which ended with heir first playoff absence since 2020. This high pick offers a chance to address critical needs and inject young talent.
The 49ers' recent draft history has been shaped by the 2021 trade quarterback for Trey Lance, who they selected with the third overall pick. The trade was costly on numerous fonts, as it depleted the team's first-round draft capital for two subsequent years. The Niners returned to the first round in 2024, selecting 31st overall.
With over three months until the draft, Lynch, Shanahan, and the rest of the Niners' front office will now shift their focus to evaluating the incoming class of collegiate players. The 11th pick provides the team with a valuable asset, and their decision will likely play a significant role in determining whether the team can return to contention in 2025. While the San Francisco 49ers maintain a competitive core, the upcoming draft presents an opportunity to address key areas for improvement on both sides of the ball.
- Chris Wilson
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Written by:You may have seen Chris Wilson's work on NFL game theory, statistical analysis, and film breakdowns at Minute Media, FanSided, Niner Noise, Insidethe49, LockedonSports, ClutchPoints, and others. Follow Chris on Twitter @cgawilson.
