- Shemar Stewart – EDGE, Texas A&M
“The Niners feel capable of making some noise in this draft, and they can afford to take an early swing on Stewart’s alluring skill set, with 10 more picks forthcoming.”
- Will Johnson – CB, Michigan
“The departure of Charvarius Ward leads the 49ers to pick Johnson. His lack of demonstrable elite long speed (he has not run a public pre-draft 40, thanks in part to a hamstring injury, and suffered a season-ending foot injury last year) might make him available here. Johnson’s ball awareness and secure tackling as a zone defender jibe with the zone-heavy scheme Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh leaned on when last together in 2020.”
- Jihaad Campbell – LB, Alabama
“After losing a number of key defensive players this offseason, including tone-setting linebacker Dre Greenlaw, the 49ers draft Campbell. The Alabama ‘backer is my favorite player to watch in this entire draft class. He’d comprise a spectacular duo with Fred Warner.”
- Kelvin Banks Jr. – OT, Texas
“The 49ers had the oldest starting offense in the NFL last season (average age of 28.7), and succession plans are needed. An heir apparent for left tackle Trent Williams is an obvious place to start after backup Jaylon Moore signed with the Chiefs. Banks was a starter at Texas right after arriving as a freshman, playing all but three snaps of his career at left tackle. He allowed only four pressures on 510 pass-blocking snaps in 2024, though three came in an October loss to Georgia. Banks would immediately compete with Colton McKivitz at right tackle before potentially taking over for Williams.”
- Walter Nolen – DL, Ole Miss
“Nolen’s talent is undeniable, but there are several teams who wouldn’t take him this high. It could be a risky pick, but it fits an obvious need for San Francisco and Nolen can mature his entire game with the Niners.”
- Jahdae Barron – CB, Texas
“The versatile Barron can immediately slot in as the 49ers starting nickel cornerback. He posted the second-highest PFF coverage grade among all cornerbacks last year (91.1) and is a perfect fit for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s zone-heavy scheme after playing more zone snaps than any other cornerback on PFF’s big board in 2024 (406).”
- Walter Nolen – DT, Mississippi
“… The best way to complement DE Nick Bosa might be to add a disruptive interior force like Nolen, who can cause even more havoc inside given the attention the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year commands off the edge.”
*Trade: 49ers receive: No. 6 pick; Raiders receive No. 11 pick, No. 75 pick, No. 160 pick
- Mason Graham – DT, Michigan
“San Francisco has greater needs than we’re accustomed to with this regime, yet they still possess more picks (11) than they can utilize. Shifting some of that draft capital to secure one of the top elite players at a crucial position is a smart strategy. Mason Graham is exceptionally disruptive and could be the most reliable prospect in this draft class.”
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