Published Apr 30, 2025 • 9 hrs ago
Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
The above videos are auto-populated by an affiliate.
ESPN analyst Matt Miller ranked his top 100 picks, steals, and fits from the 2025 NFL Draft, and four San Francisco 49ers selections earned a spot on the list. Miller based his rankings on value, scheme fit, positional need, and projected on-field contributions.
The highest-ranked 49ers pick was defensive end Mykel Williams, the team’s top selection out of Georgia, who landed at No. 38.
“Williams played well in two big games against Texas, but an ankle injury in Week 1 lingered all season and carried over to his pre-draft testing,” Miller wrote. “He was regarded as an elite prospect entering the 2024 season and will get a chance to thrive with All-Pro Nick Bosa drawing attention opposite him. New defensive coordinator Robert Saleh can unlock Williams’ considerable potential.”
Fourth-round pick CJ West, the 49ers’ new defensive tackle out of Indiana, came in at No. 78.
“The 49ers made a commitment to stopping the run in this draft, and West will see early reps along the defensive line as a potential developmental starter at 3-technique,” Miller wrote.
Also selected in the fourth round, former Ole Miss wide receiver Jordan Watkins ranked No. 90 on Miller’s list.
“The 49ers probably could have landed Watkins later, but his speed and vertical route-running skills are an asset,” Miller explained. “Turn on his five-touchdown game against Arkansas and you’ll see the vision of this pick.”
Rounding out the group is running back Jordan James, the team’s fifth-round pick out of Oregon, who just made the cut.
“Kyle Shanahan can’t resist Day 3 running backs, and it felt like a real need after the team traded Jordan Mason to the Vikings,” Miller noted. “We saw what injuries did to the 49ers’ backfield last season. The hard-running James will likely start as the team’s RB3.”
Nobody’s perfect. Did you find a mistake in this article?
Report it.
Comments
Do not use the comments to notify us of errors in the article. Editors may not see it. Instead, report errors here.
More San Francisco 49ers News
Two 49ers named among analyst’s favorite draft picks
NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter recently published his list of favorite selections from each round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Two members of the San Francisco 49ers’ newest draft class made the cut, ranking among the top picks in their respective rounds.
The first was one of the…
ESPN names 49ers draftee among best value picks of Round 4
ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid reviewed the 2025 NFL Draft round-by-round, highlighting their best value selections for each round. Miller chose new Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson for Round 4, while Reid selected San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle CJ West,…
2025 NFL Draft: 49ers’ 11 selections and their projected rookie salaries
The San Francisco 49ers added 11 new players during the 2025 NFL Draft, which concluded on Saturday. Their initial pick came at the No. 11 overall spot, where they selected former Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams in the first round. The 49ers finished their draft after…
ESPN 7-round mock draft: 49ers bolster trenches early, add QB and kicker late
With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, ESPN analyst Jordan Reid has released a full seven-round mock draft, projecting all 257 selections. While the San Francisco 49ers have numerous directions they could go, many expect the team to prioritize the trenches with their first of…