San Francisco 49ers’ 3 sleeper prospects to target in 2025 NFL Draft

Why the 49ers must consider these three sleeper picks for the 2025 NFL Draft.

The San Francisco 49ers face one of their biggest drafts yet in the era of John Lynch. The general manager must use this 2025 NFL Draft class to reignite enthusiasm following a stumbling 6-11 mark.

Lynch has won over the 49ers Faithful before during this time of year. George Kittle rose as a fifth round gem for Lynch and company. Ex-safety Talanoa Hufanga became a Pro Bowler after falling to the fifth. Deommodore Lenoir is leading this cornerback room as a past fifth rounder too. Of course, Lynch’s biggest sleeper find was the 2022 class final pick Brock Purdy.

But the 49ers aren’t getting any younger at key areas. Including Kittle’s position of tight end and at offensive tackle, with All-Pro Trent Williams aging. Running back is another concern with Christian McCaffrey getting older, plus the lack of backfield depth.

Mason Graham is a trending pick to land at 11th to the 49ers, bolstering the defensive trenches. Lynch and company, though, earn a renewed chance to land newer sleepers capable of changing the franchise. And catapulting the 49ers back into playoff contention. Here are three sleeper ideas beginning with…

49ers grab local college talent, NCAA leader 

San Francisco 49ers' 3 sleeper prospects to target in 2025 NFL Draft
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Charvarius Ward is gone after playing in one Super Bowl with the Niners. “The Hyena” Lenoir, again, leads this unit moving forward. That means Lenoir needs help.

He gains it via a nearby talent to the 49ers out of Berkeley: Nohl Williams of Cal.

Williams garnered national attention by leading the NCAA with seven interceptions. Potential top overall pick Cam Ward even struggled facing Williams — including watching a 40-yard pick six against the Golden Bears star. Williams even delivered a 52-yard fumble return when the star quarterback Ward played for Washington State.

The Oxnard, California native Williams is a playmaker, period. Teams are concerned over his 40-yard dash time of 4.5. But the picks can go up here for Williams if paired with Lenoir. Ironically, Williams’ Cal linebacker teammate Teddye Buchanan got projected to land in S.F. already.

49ers help Christian McCaffrey with versatile, power back 

San Francisco 49ers' 3 sleeper prospects to target in 2025 NFL Draft
© Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Related San Francisco 49ers NewsArticle continues below

San Francisco can turn to the later rounds to find a possible replacement for Deebo Samuel. But we can’t ignore giving McCaffrey some backfield help either. Especially after Jordan Mason landed with the Minnesota Vikings.

One college football star looks perfect for this run-first system installed by Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers look like a match made in football heaven for Cam Skattebo.

The Arizona State RB pummels second-level defenders and fights for extra yards. He brings value as a receiver out of the backfield too. Skattebo lastly brings a nose for the end zone — with 24 touchdowns for the College Football Playoff qualifier Arizona State.

Skattebo lacks breakaway speed and will get caught from behind. But Shanahan needs a battering ram to keep McCaffrey fresh. The native of nearby Rio Linda and former Sacramento State star is a perfect day three option for the Niners.

49ers add cerebral trench penetrator for defensive line 

San Francisco 49ers' 3 sleeper prospects to target in 2025 NFL Draft
Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Graham is a valuable option in the first round for S.F. The GM can still fall in love with a cerebral, experienced DL who helped galvanize a longtime struggling power conference program last season.

CJ West of Indiana brings a mix of brains and foot speed to the trenches. The Hoosiers DL is masterful at using his eyes to identify lateral movement by the offensive line. He then throws his 6-foot-1, 315-pound frame to create havoc. West handled a bulk of the dirty work for one of CFB’s biggest surprises IU.

West won’t bolster the pass rush room. His strength is run stuffing and taking on multiple blockers. But he’ll free up Nick Bosa and get offenses thinking twice about running up the middle. Returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh gains a short yardage/goal line run stuffer here. West is a strong option regardless if Graham arrives to the Bay Area.

Related Posts

Braves Michael Harris II Showing New Life Since Changing Batting Stance

It’s not showing up in the win column or his walk rate yet, but the Atlanta Braves center fielder is building a case that the change to his stance is working

Watch: 5 Big Questions Heading Into Cowboys’ Training Camp

After a disappointing 7-10 finish in 2024 (their first losing season since 2020), the Dallas Cowboys are staring down a critical turning point. A franchise once viewed…

Potentіаl Pіttѕburgh Steelerѕ WR tаrget hаѕ not requeѕted а trаde, heаd coаch ѕаyѕ

рotentіаl ріttѕburgh ѕteelerѕ trаde tаrget Jаuаn Jennіngѕ, а ѕаn Frаncіѕco 49erѕ wіde receіver, hаѕ not requeѕted а trаde, аccordіng to heаd coаch Kyle ѕhаnаhаn. Jennіngѕ hаѕ requeѕted а new contrаct, аnd аccordіng to…

BREAKING: Mіnkаh Fіtzраtrіck Sendѕ 7-Word Meѕѕаge to Steelerѕ Before Returnіng to Mіаmі Dolрhіnѕ іn New Trаde…

In a move that has left the NFL community stunned, Minkah Fitzpatrick is reportedly set to return to the Miami Dolphins in a blockbuster trade that has shaken

BREAKING NEWS: Jаіre Alexаnder – Green Bаy Pаckerѕ lаuncheѕ “From Workbootѕ to Cleаtѕ” cаmраіgn – рrovіdіng free job trаіnіng for thoѕe who hаve juѕt loѕt theіr ѕtаble jobѕ. Jаіre, who uѕed to work аѕ а cold ѕtorаge рorter wіth hіѕ fаther, knowѕ whаt іt’ѕ lіke to be loѕt due to lаck of work. “I ѕtood where they ѕtood. Now іt’ѕ my turn to ѕtаnd for them.” – hіѕ quote іѕ ѕрreаdіng аcroѕѕ ѕocіаl medіа through the аrtіcle!!!

His story — from work boots to cleats — has become more than personal history. It’s now a beacon of hope for countless others facing unemployment and

DONE DEAL: Green Bаy Pаckerѕ legend Brett Fаvre donаteѕ the entіre $11.8 mіllіon to the new ѕtаdіum рroject, ѕаyіng “Pаckerѕ рrіde lіveѕ on іn me wherever I go”….

In an era where loyalty often fades with the spotlight, one name just lit up the skies over Green Bay once more: Brett Favre.