The San Francisco 49ers seek to keep their momentum with Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft. Here’s a look at the kind of talent they could come away with in the approaching cycle.
Who Could the San Francisco 49ers Draft in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Note: The draft order for the 2025 NFL Mock Draft was derived from my record and playoff predictions for the 2024 NFL regular season.
1.26) San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
The 49ers have one of the better defensive line coaches in the game in Kris Kocurek. But as good as their developmental staff is, they could use an elite talent like Patrick Payton.
While Nick Bosa pummels tackles on the other side, Payton could incite terror with his one-step explosiveness, ankle flexion, swarming length, and sense for the football.
2.58) San Francisco 49ers: Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
From a technique standpoint, there are still things that Ephesians Prysock can clean up. Nevertheless, he has extremely rare sink and quickness for a 6’4″ CB, and that complete pallet of physical tools grants him vast coverage variability.
3.90) San Francisco 49ers: Andrew Mukuba, DB, Texas
Though he’ll need to add more mass to his frame, Andrew Mukuba’s combination of short-area malleability and competitiveness makes him a fit for the slot.
3.97) San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Josh Simmons needs to add mass and improve his play strength, but he’s an explosive, flexible mover with experience on the left and right sides.
Rounds 4-7
4.123) Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
5.155) Fa’alili Fa’amoe, OL, Washington State
6.187) Ja’Mori Maclin, WR, Kentucky
7.223) Leon Lowery, LB/S, Wisconsin
49ers 2025 NFL Mock Draft Analysis
In four of the last five NFL seasons, the 49ers have won at least 10 games. In four of the last five NFL seasons, the 49ers have made it to the NFC Championship game. Twice over that span, they’ve reached the Super Bowl.
Shanahan is the kind of coach who can keep his team competitive even amidst turnover and uncertainty. But that doesn’t mean talent acquisition isn’t important, especially with multiple surging threats in the conference.
In this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the 49ers fight to stay on target.
Their first-round pick is especially intriguing. Patrick Payton has the burst, bend, and length to terrorize tackles, and his finesse-oriented playmaking style contrasts well with Bosa’s heavy-handed approach.
Ephesians Prysock is a high-upside gamble at cornerback, and the same goes for Andrew Mukuba in the slot — though Mukuba can also play safety when needed. Offensive line was also an area of emphasis in this mock. Josh Simmons has played left and right tackle, and his athleticism is eye-catching.
On Day 3, the 49ers scored a quality TE2 in Mitchell Evans — something that has been eluding them for some time, even with capital investment. Fa’alili Fa’amoe has tools worth developing, and he could feasibly project inside if needed.
Lastly, Ja’Mori Maclin supplements the 49ers’ WR depth with his route-running nuance, and Leon Lowery gives San Francisco an attacking defender with upside and special teams utility.
