The San Francisco 49ers approached the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear objective: strengthen their run defense and add versatile playmakers. Here's how I graded each of their picks.
RD 1, Pick 11: DE Mykel Williams, Georgia — A
The 49ers wanted to set the edge and stop the run. Mykel Williams was one of the best edge setters in college football in 2024. Playing on a high-ankle sprain, Williams had a 7.6% run stop rate and completed the season with 16 run stops, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Williams' versatility and youth (25) make him more intriguing by the day, which is why he was the 49ers' first selection. On day one, Williams will set the edge and be disruptive in the backfield, making the 49ers' run defense go from worst to first.
RD 2, Pick 43: DT Alfred Collins, Texas — B+
One of the most significant weaknesses of the 49ers' defense was the ability to stop the run up the middle. Alfred Collins stands at 6'6", 332 lbs, and is known for eliminating the run. He's not the most athletic of the big run-stuffing defensive tackles, but he is very swift and has quick feet. Collins has an explosive first step, and he's a disruptor in the backfield. He had 27 run stops in 2024 along with 18 pressures, one sack, 17 hurries, and six batted down passes.
Collins adds size to the defensive front at the line of scrimmage. If he can develop his pass-rushing skills, he will be Saleh's version of Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.
RD 3, Pick 75: LB Nickolas Martin, Oklahoma State — C
Based on the value of the position, this selection was a reach. Martin missed a lot of the 2024 season due to injury, and the 49ers' moving on from one injured linebacker to the next seemed premature with other healthy, rangy linebackers still on the board in round 3. Martin does possess the speed and range, and he packs a lot of power and punch from the linebacker position. He ran a 4.53 at the NFL Combine, and he led college football in tackles in 2023 with 140 tackles.
If Martin's health pans out, this will be a fantastic pick from the 2025 NFL Draft. Trust in Robert Saleh's ability to identify top-tier linebackers is unmatched—just look at Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Jamien Sherwood.
RD 3, Pick 100: CB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky — B-
Stout is versatile. The 49ers admire defensive players who can play multiple roles and excel in them. Stout possesses the quick hips that will make him an excellent nickel back in the pros. He may be undersized at 5'8, 191 pounds, but Stout is a versatile defender who can play in multiple coverages and schemes.
In 2024, Stout played 633 snaps, 355 as the nickel back for Western Kentucky. He completed the season with nine pressures, one sack, 58 tackles, 26 run stops, one interception, and one pass breakup.
RD 4, Pick 113: DT CJ West — B+
West is violent and pays with a nonstop motor. He will be an additional piece to the 49ers' run defense. He has a quick first step, which allows him to get into the backfield often. At 6'1", 336 pounds, West has natural leverage due to his size and compact frame. He plays with a low pad level and high effort on every play.
49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek will love to use West because of his ability to shoot the gaps. West completed the 2024 season with 25 pressures, one sack, five hits, 19 hurries, one batted down pass, 36 tackles, and 22 run stops on only 420 snaps.
RD 4, Pick 138: WR Jordan Watkins — B-
Jordan Watkins was among the top-30 visitors the 49ers hosted before the draft. He's 5'11", 196 lbs, and an agile receiver who excels in yards after the catch. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at the NFL Combine and had a perfect gauntlet. In 2024, Watkins completed the season with 49 receptions for 906 yards, nine touchdowns, and averaged 18.5 yards per reception. In five collegiate seasons, Watkins has a total of six drops and averaged 6.1 yards after the catch per reception.
It sounds like the 49ers are looking to add to the YAC Bros in drafting Jordan Watkins. With Brandon Aiyuk returning from injury, Watkins has a shot of being one of the team's three receivers to crack the rotation this upcoming season.
RD 5, Pick 147: RB Jordan James — B
Jordan James is a low-center-of-gravity-style runner who can run between the gaps and the outside zone. In 2024, James rushed for 1,268 yards on 223 attempts and averaged 5.4 yards per attempt. He rushed for 15 touchdowns, averaged 3.18 yards after contact, and forced 58 missed tackles, 21 more than Vikings running back Jordan Mason.
James adds value as a pass catcher as well. He had 26 receptions for 207 yards and averaged 8 yards per reception. James enters a loaded backfield, but if he can improve in pass protection, he could find his way cracking Bobby Turner's rotation.
RD 5, Pick 160: S Marques Sigle, Kansas State — B+
Marques Sigle is an athletic, versatile gem the 49ers were able to land in the fifth round. At the NFL Combine, Sigel weighed 199 pounds, standing 5'11". He tested through the roof, leaving the combine with a 9.54 relative athletic score and an impressive 4.37-second 40-yard dash time, the fastest among safeties. Sigel has quick reflexes and agility with strong ball skills, and plays very physical in run support on defense.
In 2024, Sigel completed the season with 65 tackles, 24 run stops, three interceptions, and three pass breakups. He's a versatile piece that defensive coordinator Robert Saleh can utilize all over the football field.
RD 7, Pick 227: QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana — C
Kuris Rourke is 6'5", 223 lbs, and an experienced pocket passer out of Indiana. He's brilliant and cerebral, displaying patience as he goes through his progressions. He doesn't make a lot of mistakes out on the field. Throughout his six years in college, Rourke has thrown for 10,075 yards, 76 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions, averaging 8.3 yards per attempt.
The 49ers drafting him in the seventh round made the most sense with a quarterback who would have had a much higher grade if it hadn't been for the ACL injury in 2024. Rourke played the 2024 season on a torn ACL and competed at a high level. The 49ers could place Rourke on the NFI list and let him redshirt his rookie season.
RD 7, Pick 249: OL Connor Colby, Iowa — A-
The 49ers drafted offensive lineman Connor Colby in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft. Colby could be the steal of the draft. Playing in Iowa, he is already ready for the outside zone system the 49ers play. Colby is a 6'6", 309-pound guard who played 820 snaps in 2024. He allowed two sacks and ten pressures. He is excellent in run-blocking and has a strong base and anchor for the interior pass rushers he will face at the pro level. Most experts had a third- or fourth-round grade on Colby, and the 49ers landed him in the seventh.
RD 7, Pick 252: WR, Junior Bergen, Montana — C
Junior Bergen may be one of college football's most dynamic kick returners. In 2024, Bergen was targeted 70 times and caught 49 passes for 542 yards with three touchdowns, averaging 11.1 yards per reception. He played the majority of his snaps, 311, as a slot receiver, and he averaged 6.8 yards after the catch per reception.
What makes Bergen special is his versatility and his ability as a returner on special teams. He averaged 21.6 yards per attempt on kickoffs and 24.0 yards per attempt on punt returns. Bergen is a Brant Boyer special!
Overall Grade — 84
The 49ers dominated the 2025 NFL Draft by addressing their needs at key positions and sticking to their big board. They may have reached for a player or two in the eyes of the fans, but overall, they addressed the number one problem in 2024: stopping the run. The 49ers made that clear with their first five selections. It's a crapshoot for any of these players to pan out, and the grades are relative and for fun.