The San Francisco 49ers went with the quantity approach in the 2025 NFL Draft, drafting 11 players, which tied the league-high.<\/p>\n
But, that doesn\u2019t mean they haven\u2019t found quality. First-round pick Mykel Williams is expected to play a big role, while third-rounder Upton Stout is projected to start at nickel cornerback. Even on Day 3, the 49ers found some players who could be hidden gems as rotational pieces.<\/p>\n
Fourth-round pick C.J. West shone early before dealing with an injury, especially as a pass-rusher. But, the biggest surprise may have been fifth-round pick Marques Sigle, who has catapulted himself into the safety rotation.<\/p>\n
Sigle, who played college ball at Kansas State, has constantly rotated in with the top unit during training camp, even earning starts during the preseason at safety.<\/p>\n
After the third preseason game, he acknowledged the big learning curve and how the game is starting to slow down for him, with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh pointing out his willingness to learn.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s done a really nice job,\u201d Saleh said of Sigle. \u201cAll these rookies, if they thought preseason was fast, the regular season is about 100 times faster. So, the good news is that they\u2019re capable and they\u2019re willing to learn and they\u2019re quick studies, so they\u2019ll be fine as time goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Communication has been a big growth spot for Sigle, according to Saleh, which is especially important at the safety position.<\/p>\n
\u201dCommunication [is where he\u2019s grown the most], \u201d Saleh said. \u201cJust being on your job, being able to communicate on the sideline when something happens, to have the recall to have those conversations. It happened at practice today, we were talking about a route on how to play a certain route concept. He basically cut me off to talk about what his technique was, what he could have done better, where he was in the play, and you come back in and you watch the play really quick, and it\u2019s like \u2018alright,\u2019 he\u2019s recalling it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s understanding it. He understands where his body\u2019s at. So, there\u2019s going to be a lot of those moments where he is like, \u2018Man, I could have.\u2019 We all trust that if he\u2019s in the same situation he was in practice today that he\u2019ll be in the position that he knows he should have been in. They\u2019re all really cool in that regard.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fact that Sigle has been able to get up to speed as quickly as he has after missing OTAs has been impressive, as it isn\u2019t all that common for rookies.<\/p>\n
\u201dNot all the time [do you see rookies pick things up that fast],\u201d Saleh said. \u201cSome, like I said, are quick like [Sigle] and some take a couple [of times and] will need to see it three or four times. But, he\u2019s proven that. I mean, shoot, he missed all of OTAs, and for him to step in and do what he\u2019s been doing has been pretty impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, it\u2019s unclear if Sigle will ultimately earn the Week 1 start, with veterans Ji\u2019Ayir Brown and Jason Pinnock also competing at the top of the room. But, the opportunity is there and it seems the rookie has been taking advantage ahead of the season.<\/p>\n