Last February, the San Francisco 49ers were preparing for the Super Bowl against the Chiefs. In February 2025, the 49ers are already one month into the offseason. With an extended offseason, the 49ers front office and scouting department will have extra time to dig into the 2025 draft class before John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are on the clock in April.
Before draft season heats up, different mock drafts are beginning to pen predictions for the 49ers picks in the 2025 draft. While most mock drafts don’t extend beyond the first or second round, Pro Football Focus recently released a seven-round mock draft with predictions for all 10 of San Francisco’s picks.
Here’s a look at six players to keep an eye on from PFF’s recent mock.
Read the full mock draft here.
Round 1 – Pick 11: Texas OL Kelvin Banks Jr.
Landing Texas star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. would feel like a home run for the 49ers at No. 11. Banks Jr. would immediately add some much-needed juice to the 49ers’ offensive line, giving them an answer to their right tackle issue while also serving as the potential heir to Trent Williams on Brock Purdy’s blindside.
Round 2 – Pick 43: North Dakota IOL Grey Zabel
The 49ers offensive line has been due for a remodel, so doubling up inside the trenches in the top 50 doesn’t sound like too bad of an idea. North Dakota’s Grey Zabel is picking up steam as one of the top interior offensive line options in the draft class after a standout week of practice at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Round 3 – Pick 75: Arkansas Edge Landon Jackson
Similar to the offensive line, there’s a clear gap on the 49ers depth chart at the defensive line. Outside of Nick Bosa, most of the 49ers pass rushers are veterans or inconsistent young players. After addressing the offensive line early, it would be a safe bet for the 49ers to add a pass rusher in the draft.
PFF penciled in Arkansas edge rusher Landon Jackson to the 49ers in the third round. The 6-foot-5 defensive end has the size to slide right into the mix on the 49ers defensive line. Jackson is a proven run defender who racked up productive numbers during his time in the SEC with the Hogs.
In three seasons with Arkansas, Jackson recorded 116 tackles, 28 tackles for loss and 16 sacks.
Round 4, Pick 137: Minnesota LB Cody Lindenberg
The 49ers have had success drafting defensive players on day three of the draft. In recent years under John Lynch, the 49ers have drafted players like Malik Mustapha, Dee Winters, Deommodore Lenoir and Dre Greenlaw on day three of the draft.
Adding a defensive player like Minnesota linebacker Cody Lindenberg could continue that trend. While the 49ers begin to reinvent their special teams unit under Brant Boyer, Linderberg could likely find a role quickly.
With potential changes coming to the 49ers linebacking core with the potential departure of Dre Greenlaw, linebacker could quickly become a position of need in San Francisco.
Round 5, Pick 149: RB Rutgers Kyle Monangai
Similar to a standout defensive player on day three, it wouldn’t be a 49ers draft if they didn’t add a running back. The 49ers have drafted a running back in three of the last four drafts, including most recently Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round of Louisville in 2024.
Monangai was quietly one of the best rushers in the Big Ten last season, leading the Scarlett Knights offense with 1,279 rushing yards on 256 attempts for a ridiculous 113.3 yards per game. Monangai punched in 13 touchdowns in his fifth season at Rutgers. Monangai was one of three running backs to rush for over 1,200 yards last season in the Big Ten, trailing only Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson for the top spot.
Round 6, Pick 187: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke
Heading into the offseason, there is a question mark at backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. With both Josh Dobbs and Brandon Allen set to hit free agency, who will fill out the quarterback room in Santa Clara? While there’s a chance Dobbs or Allen returns, the 49ers could take a flyer on a quarterback late in the draft like Indiana’s Kyle Rourke.
Rourke dealt with injuries, but starred at Ohio posting big numbers before transferring to Indiana. Under Curt Cignetti, Rourke led the Hoosier to an unlikely College Football playoff birth.
In his lone season at Indiana, Rourke threw for 3,042 yards and 29 touchdowns with only five interceptions.
Similar to Purdy, Rourke throws with anticipation around the field and could fit into Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Rourke, 24, is a veteran pocket-style passer who could potentially give the 49ers some consistency deep on the quarterback depth chart.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 6 most interesting players from PFF’s 49ers 7 round mock draft
