Each year, as we head into the regular season, teams are ranked by the talent they have on the current roster under the age of 25. Last year, the Niners ranked 30th in this exercise. The San Francisco 49ers improved this year, but that’s because there was really only one direction to go.
Here is a look at the methodology:
- Number of starts made by players under 25 years old
- Number of snaps played by players under 25 years old
- Quality of play by players under 25 years old, age-adjusted to capture the fact that a 21-year-old player of X ability will likely improve more than a 23-year-old player of X ability — and with extra consideration given to Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections
- Value and length of player contracts
- Relative importance of positions, with quarterbacks being more important and running backs, off-ball linebackers and specialists being less important than other positions
- Draft value added in the 2026 draft, particularly in the first three rounds
- Expected key starters and reserves under 25 years old for teams in 2026
- Significant injuries or suspensions that will affect the 2026 availability of players under 25 years old
The 49ers had one blue chip player:
Last year’s rank: 30
Blue chips: Edge Mykel Williams
Notable graduated players: CB Renardo Green, WR Ricky Pearsall
Injuries led to playing time for
a lot of the youth in San Francisco last season, as six different players currently under 25 started at least six games.
We’ll begin on defense, with safeties Malik Mustapha and Marques Sigle. They are both 24 years old. Nickelback Upton Stout is also 24, as is defensive tackle Alfred Collins. Last year’s first-round pick, edge rusher Mykel Williams, turned 22 in June.
On offense, 23-year-old Connor Colby and 24-year-old Carver Willis will battle for the starting left guard position in training camp. Second-round rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling is 23. Backup running backs Kaelon Black and Jordan James are 24 and 22, respectively.
This year’s third-round pick, edge rusher Romello Height, is already 25 and does not qualify for our list.
The issue for the Niners is that neither of their young talent has played long enough to show promise. Had Mustapha stayed healthy and continued the play from his rookie year, this conversation would be different.
It also doesn’t help that the Niners have drafted on the older side — another reason to be intrigued by Jordan James. So if Romello Height rushes the passer or affects the pass rush like the team drafted him to, it wouldn’t reflect in rankings like this because of his age.
That leaves Mykel Williams and De’Zhaun Stribling as the players with multiple years to show that they can be cornerstone players for the future. Both are walking into situations where they should have tremendous opportunities to do so.
Williams gets to play alongside Nick Bosa and Osa Odighizuwa. Plus, there’s the thought that the 49ers would have the lead, thus more pass-rushing opportunities from the inside for Williams.
As for Stribling, he gets to learn from Mike Evans and play on an offense that includes Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Ricky Pearsall, with Kyle Shanahan calling the plays. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better scenario for a rookie.
