After a disappointing 6-11 finish to the 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers enter the 2025 NFL Draft with several pressing needs. While injuries played a significant role in their struggles, the season also exposed depth issues, and an impending wave of free-agent departures only adds to the challenge.
Many analysts expect the 49ers to use their first-round pick—No. 11 overall—on an offensive or defensive lineman to strengthen the trenches. However, one recent mock draft suggests general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan could take a different approach with their top selection.
CBS Sports: 49ers add CB help
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports projects the 49ers selecting Michigan cornerback Michigan cornerback Will Johnson with the No. 11 pick.
Charvarius Ward is unlikely to return in 2025, so the 49ers' cornerback depth is thin. Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, and Tre Avery are the only corners under contract beyond March 12, the start of the new league year.
"Top cornerback Charvarius Ward is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and the 49ers need a legit CB1 with all the receiver talent out in the NFC West: Puka Nacua, Marvin Harrison Jr., DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba come to mind," Podell wrote. "Will Johnson, whose 31.0 passer rating when targeted was the second best in college football since 2022 (minimum 100 targets), fill a key need."
Johnson (6-2, 202) appeared in just six games this past season due to a shoulder contusion and turf toe injury. Despite the missed time, he recorded 14 tackles (one for a loss) and two interceptions—both returned for touchdowns.
Over three seasons with the Wolverines, Johnson tallied 68 tackles (four for a loss), nine interceptions, three touchdowns, and 10 passes defensed.
PFF and TDN: 49ers strengthen O-line
Pro Football Focus (PFF) analyst Dalton Wasserman predicts the 49ers will go in a more conventional direction, selecting Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
"Banks' pass-protection skills and outside-zone run-blocking prowess make him an excellent fit in San Francisco, a team that continues to search for answers alongside Trent Williams," Wasserman wrote. "If Banks can play tackle despite concerns about his arm length, he could be a natural replacement for Williams down the line."
Banks has been a popular projection to the 49ers, given that Williams will be 37 entering the 2025 season. Finding a long-term successor is becoming increasingly crucial.
Banks played exclusively at left tackle over the past three seasons, earning a career-best 89.9 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024—ranking fourth among all collegiate offensive tackles. Across 538 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed just one sack and 10 total pressures while posting career-high grades of 81.0 in run-blocking and 86.0 overall.
Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network also predicts the 49ers will fortify their offensive line with their first pick. However, with Banks still on the board in his scenario, Sanchez instead projects Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson as the selection.
"If the San Francisco 49ers want to continue to be one of the best teams in the NFC, they have to hit on young draft picks and help transition this team into a new era," Sanchez wrote. "That starts at key positions, and one of those is the offensive line. Donovan Jackson is a versatile offensive lineman who could play most of the offensive line positions. This pick gives the 49ers an opportunity to put the best starting five on the field and keep Brock Purdy upright, allowing him to deliver the football to his playmakers."
While Jackson played all his snaps at left guard in 2022 and 2023, he showcased his versatility in 2024, logging 529 snaps at left tackle and one at right tackle in addition to his 286 snaps at left guard.
