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Tony Pauline, a respected analyst for Sportskeeda known for his extensive pre-draft work, praised what the San Francisco 49ers accomplished in the 2025 NFL Draft. He awarded general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan an “A” grade for their 11 selections, offering a detailed breakdown of what he liked—and what he didn’t.
The good news for the 49ers is that there were more positives than negatives in Pauline’s evaluation.
49ers overhaul the defensive line
The 49ers placed a significant focus on revamping their defensive line, and Pauline believes the team may have struck gold with the additions of defensive linemen Mykel Williams (Round 1), Alfred Collins (Round 2), and CJ West (Round 4).
“Williams is a prospect with tremendous upside as well as growth potential,” Pauline wrote. “He showed a lot of ability in spurts last season and needs only more time and physical maturity before he’ll round out his game. All things considered, this was a terrific pick by San Francisco.”
Pauline noted that Collins could benefit from added strength but praised his versatility, highlighting his ability to both occupy blockers and make plays on the football.
As for West, Pauline labeled him a “terrific prospect” and an “immovable object” in the middle of Indiana’s defensive front.
“Then during Shrine Bowl practices, he showed he was more than a gap occupier, making plays on the football and displaying pass-rush skill,” Pauline added.
A new linebacker and later selections
While some analysts felt the 49ers reached by selecting linebacker Nick Martin in the third round, Pauline disagrees.
“He’s explosive, athletic, and violent on the football field, showing ability in pursuit as well as the ability to blitz,” Pauline wrote. “His game is coincidentally quite similar to Dre Greenlaw’s, who the Niners lost in free agency.”
Pauline was less enthusiastic about the third-round selection of cornerback Upton Stout, citing concerns about his 5-foot-8.5-inch frame. Still, he believes Stout could contribute as a dime back and special-teams player.
On the offensive side, Pauline called the selections of wide receiver Jordan Watkins (Round 4) and running back Jordan James (Round 5) “steals.” He praised Watkins for his vertical speed and reliable hands, stating he only needs to refine his route running to become a key contributor. Regarding James, Pauline described him as a violent runner and talented pass catcher capable of carving out a role in the future.
The 49ers wrapped up their draft with safety Marques Sigle, quarterback Kurtis Rourke, guard Connor Colby, and return specialist Junior Bergen, all of whom earned favorable reviews from Pauline.
Pauline’s conclusion
“I would’ve preferred the Niners to address the offensive line earlier, yet they deserve high marks for this draft,” Pauline concluded. “They revamped the entire defensive line, and the three players drafted should be full-time starters within two years. Ditto for Nick Martin at linebacker, while Watkins and James will be quality contributors.”
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