The San Francisco 49ers have several needs heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, with none seemingly more pressing than reinforcing the trenches—both the defensive and offensive lines. Either unit could be addressed with the team's first-round pick at No. 11. However, the 49ers might wait until after Day 1 to tackle (pun intended) those needs, opting to use their top selection on another position group, such as the secondary. Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has emerged as a popular projected pick for San Francisco.
Danny Parkins, host of FS1's Breakfast Ball, pitches a different idea. He suggests the 49ers use the 11th overall pick on a running back—an unexpected move, given the team's more urgent needs elsewhere. While San Francisco selecting a running back wouldn't be shocking in general, doing so in the first round would undoubtedly raise eyebrows.
Parkins is particularly high on Boise State standout Ashton Jeanty, envisioning him as a perfect fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense and worthy of the 11th overall pick.
"Here's the thing about Kyle Shanahan," Parkins explained. "He gets maximum 99th percentile production from whoever he has, whether it's Devonta Freeman (with the Falcons) or Raheem Mostert or Christian McCaffrey."
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McCaffrey is firmly entrenched as the starter heading into 2025. However, the star running back has battled injuries, appearing in only four games last season and spending time on injured reserve at the start and end of the season.
"I know they're saying McCaffrey's healthy, but for how long?" Parkins asked. "When Christian McCaffrey, an all-world talent, got with Kyle Shanahan, he was simply the best player in football. He led in scrimmage yards, touchdowns, yards per touch. It was unbelievable.
"So, McCaffrey, we know he can play all over the field and we know he doesn't have that much longer in his prime. The 11th overall pick for the number one running back, Shanahan, Jeanty, a match made in heaven."
Jeanty led the NCAA last season with a staggering 2,601 rushing yards, scored 30 total touchdowns, and averaged an impressive seven yards per carry, per Sports Reference.
The 49ers traded away their leading rusher from last season, Jordan Mason, leaving McCaffrey backed up by second-year back Isaac Guerendo and veteran Patrick Taylor. The team has expressed openness to adding another back through the draft.
"I think you always hope to address it every year," Shanahan said last week. "I mean, yeah, of course we're set with McCaffrey, but every single year that we've gone through this, except for two years, we've gone through four running backs. And most teams do, so you've always got to be prepared for that."
He added, "But Christian's healthy, he's doing great. We got Isaac in there, working. [We're] pumped to get Patrick back, and we'll see if we add someone in the draft. But you'd like to add one every year."