With the 2025 NFL Draft just a week away, analysts and writers are getting creative with their mock drafts. R.J. White of CBS Sports recently leaned on sportsbook prop odds to predict how teams might approach the first round, projecting Michigan cornerback Will Johnson to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 11 overall.
That pick wasn't exactly a shocker. Johnson is frequently linked to the 49ers in mock drafts as a potential first-round target.
However, Pro Football Focus (PFF) contributor Dalton Wasserman took a more unconventional route. In his latest mock draft, every pick in the first round is an "out-of-left-field" selection. While mock drafts often include a few head-scratchers, Wasserman ensured that all 32 selections were a surprise. The chaos kicked off with the Tennessee Titans taking quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 1 overall, a move that would catch just about everyone off guard.
When the 49ers come on the clock at pick No. 11, Wasserman has them selecting tight end Tyler Warren, an eyebrow-raising choice, but not entirely without precedent. Some insiders have previously floated Warren as a potential fit for San Francisco. Still, the buzz around that pairing has cooled lately as the team faces more pressing needs elsewhere on the roster.
"The 49ers already have superstar tight end George Kittle firmly entrenched in their offense, but it's fair to wonder if Kyle Shanahan might consider adding Tyler Warren to form the league's most intimidating 12-personnel package," Wasserman explained. "Warren earned an elite 93.4 receiving grade in 2024 and brings the kind of physicality as a run blocker that would complement Kittle perfectly on the edge."
Warren was dominant in 2024, recording 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns, per Sports Reference. He also contributed on the ground, adding 26 carries for 218 yards and four rushing touchdowns.
Interestingly, Wasserman had previously named Warren the worst first-round fit for the 49ers.
"If given the chance, Kyle Shanahan could undoubtedly find a way to utilize both George Kittle and Tyler Warren effectively," Wasserman wrote in an earlier feature. "However, with needs on both lines and in the secondary, San Francisco isn't in a position to make a luxury pick at tight end, especially with Kittle still playing at an elite level."