Experience and scheme.
Just like that, the NFL Draft is over for another year.
I expected a relatively quiet and uneventful draft. However, the early trade involving the second overall pick and the unexpected slide of Shedeur Sanders resulted in this being an entertaining draft weekend. But what of the 49ers’ efforts in the NFL Draft?
As a disclaimer, I am no expert scout. What I can comment on is the emerging trend of the 49ers’ past two draft classes, and the extent to which needs have been addressed.
I like what I see on both counts.
Experience
Regarding the former, last year represented a paradigm shift in the Niners’ approach to the draft.
Instead of drafting based on upside and projection, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan drafted experienced players who fit their scheme. The result? Early signs point to the 2024 draft class perhaps being the best of the Lynch-Shanahan era.
Lynch and Shanahan retained that approach this year. To my count, only two selections – Mykel Williams and Jordan James – played less than four college seasons, and most played five.
Williams played three seasons for Georgia in the SEC, while James is a running back where less NCAA utilisation can often be beneficial to a longer NFL career.
Every other pick boasts notable levels of experience and production in the college game.
These are not low floor/high ceiling boom-or-bust prospects. The 49ers instead selected experienced athletes who are ready to transition to the professional game.
That bodes well given the need for immediate contributions from these rookies.
Scheme
The 49ers also understood the assignment in terms of scheme fit.
Two glaring weaknesses for the Niners in 2024 were run defense and special teams. As I discussed on Episode 11 of the Huddle UK podcast, the Niners addressed their special teams needs in free agency.
In the draft, San Francisco’s clearly looked to improve on defense – specifically run defense.
Mykel Williams was the best defensive end against the run in the draft. Alfred Collins and C.J. West are big bodied defensive tackles who specialise in run defense. Nick Martin made 140 tackles in the 2023 college season, including one in which he chased down and tackled Xavier Worthy – the fastest player in combine history.
The 49ers’ complex wide-9 defensive scheme needs sizeable defensive linemen and athletic, tackle-happy linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties to work.
To that extent, the 49ers have drafted suitably.
Evaluation
No-one can say how good this draft class is until at least one year from now, most likely two.
What can be said with certainty is that the 49ers maintained an approach that worked in 2024, and looked to address key needs.
Crucially, early signs suggest that the 49ers did not reach to address those needs. The 49ers did not make a single trade during the draft.
Instead, they let the draft come to them and selected experienced players that fit their scheme in areas of need.
I cannot confidently say how good those players are, but I can say that I like the approach.
I also feel much more confident about the 49ers’ 2025 prospects after the draft than before it. That can only be a good thing.
