The San Francisco 49ers will be one of the most interesting teams in the offseason.
With Brock Purdy being up for a contract extension and a high draft pick, the rumors will be swirling around a team that took a step back in 2024 despite the talent. Now key injuries to players like Christian McCaffrey played a role, but the 49ers were involved in a lot of close games they could’ve won.
That is what makes the season frustrating for 49ers fans and head coach Kyle Shanahan who coached a team that was in the top 10 in both total offense and defense. It will be re-tooling time in San Francisco and as ESPN noted in highlighting the early needs of all 32 teams, the 49ers will have a chance to re-establish themselves as bullies in the NFC West through the 2025 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner writes:
“The 49ers have been the bullies of the NFC, but that reputation has taken a hit this season as they've been regularly beaten up along both lines. They need a run-stuffing defensive tackle, as well as additional pass rushers to complement Nick Bosa. San Francisco has been hesitant to spend early picks on the offensive line, but it needs upgrades in multiple spots, especially at center. It could also target a tackle who could immediately compete on the right side and perhaps be a long-term answer on the left.”
Current state of the San Francisco 49ers
2024 NFL season record: 6-10, 4th in the NFC West
Team offense: Rank 5th (372.6 yards per game)
Team defense: Rank 6th (312.7 yards per game)
2025 NFL Draft position: No. 11
Top positional needs: DL, OL, EDGE
49ers' 2025 NFL Draft outlook
The 49ers top needs will be at positions that will be deep in talent in this draft. They could go Edge, defensive line or OL with their top pick and still be able to address the other needs with solid picks on Day 2 and early Day 3 of the draft. The decision will likely be based on best available player at one of the positions of need. Whether it is edge, DL or OL help, the rich should get richer in this draft and don’t be surprised if the 49ers don’t go after some playmakers on offense if top talent fall past the first round.
Other areas of need could include QB, depending on what happends with Purday and his contract along with depth in the defensive secondary. Here is an NFL season-finale look at what GM John Lynch and the 49ers will do in this three-round NFL Mock Draft.
The scary part of a team like the 49ers not making the playoffs is they get a high draft pick which will enable them to get stronger in 2025. With the No. 11 overall pick, the 49ers will have some interesting talent to choose from, but will fall in love with the idea of adding to their pass rush with the selection of Nic Scourton out of Texas A&M. Scourton delivered 5 sacks for the Aggies in 2024, but his 6-foot-4, 285 frame and skillset makes him one of the top edge rushers in the draft and the 49ers get him. Not only will he learn from Bosa, he’ll complement him on the other side of the defensive line.
49ers get help along the offensive line with the selection of Texas tackle Cameron Williams with the No. 43 overall pick in the draft. San Francisco gets lucky here, as the depth of the draft at the position lands them a player who can come in and start Day 1. In playing on the same team as Kelvin Banks Jr, Williams was a right tackle at Texas, but is versatile enough to move over and develop at left tackle. At 6-foot-5, 335 pounds, he also has the mobility to hold off edge rushers and moves well in space as a blocker. He could also move inside as a guard depending on the 49ers needs.
The 49ers need a run stopping defensive tackle and they get it with Omarr Norman-Lott with the No. 75 overall pick in the draft. 49ers fans will love the fact that he has “Lott” as part of his last name as this 6-foot-3, 315 defensive lineman out of Tennessee could make an impact right away in the middle of that defensive line. With a high motor and quickness off the snap, his agility and ability to shed blocks should help solve the 49ers need for a run stopper.
Look for the 49ers to draft a quarterback somewhere in this draft even if Purdy gets an extension. With two third round picks, the 49ers select Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel with the No. 100 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Gabriel has been outstanding with the Ducks in 2024 after transferring from Oklahoma. Despite Oregon ‘s postseason being cut short, Gabriel was one of the best quarterbacks in the nation with 3,857 yards passing and 30 touchdowns. With how the 49ers develop quarterbacks, this could be the best landing spot for Gabriel as he could learn behind Purdy and depending on if there’s an extension be a player Shanahan and company can look at as a future replacement or at least insurance at the position.