There was a lot of discussion this weekend on the San Francisco 49ers and their 2025 draft class, as the organization deviated quite a bit from the consensus draft boards with a couple of selections.
Overall, San Francisco ended up being quite busy with the trade market, moving down a couple of times while also securing some 2027 draft capital with a Day 3 move. After Day 1 and Day 2, we evaluated the 49ers’ moves with those trades and picks. Now, it’s time to move on to Day 3.
Round 4, Pick 107: DT
Gracen Halton
This might’ve been San Francisco’s best pick, according to consensus.
Halton feels like a 49ers-type of defensive tackle as an undersized, twitchy player with good initial quickness. The 49ers have some beefier guys like Alfred Collins and C.J. West that play with good power. They now have a solid complement to those two and Osa Odighizuwa with Halton.
Halton seems like a rotational pass rusher, which is what the 49ers needed after their group ranked 32nd in sacks last year. With all the unique body types and Halton’s college experience, it’ll be interesting to see how Raheem Morris uses this new-look defensive line.
I don’t expect much early as a run defender due to his size, but his athleticism and quickness fit well in a third-down role.
Round 4, Pick 127 – OL Carver Willis
The 49ers waited a while, but finally took their first offensive lineman late in the fourth round with Kansas State’s Carver Willis. While playing tackle in college, his size and arm length make him more suitable for guard, perhaps providing Connor Colby some competition.
Where Willis lacks in size and length, he makes up for it with quickness, and that should help as a zone-blocking run-blocker getting out in space.
At 6’5, 303 pounds, though, you also wonder if he can hold up at guard or whether center might be the eventual move for him. While he was projected to go slightly later, I think the fit makes sense here. It’s just a matter of where he ends up playing as a rotational guy to start.
Trade
Baltimore Ravens receive: No. 133 overall
San Francisco 49ers receive: No. 154, 2027 sixth-round pick
Acquiring 2027 draft capital was expected to be a rarity in this class. So, getting a sixth-rounder to move back 21 spots in the fifth round seems like solid value here for the 49ers in a class not seen as strong.
Round 4, Pick 139: CB Ephesians Prysock
That name alone is worth it, but this was another of San Francisco’s better value picks, according to consensus.
Prysock might be more of a developmental project, but he’s got great length at 6’3, 196 pounds, and pretty good athleticism (4.45 40-yard dash, 39” vertical jump).
There needs to be development here, but Prysock is a different type of cornerback than the 49ers usually target, and he has some quality traits.
Round 5, Pick 154: LB Jaden Dugger
The 49ers sent out linebacker Dee Winters for the No. 152 pick. At No. 154, they took another linebacker with safety convert Jaden Dugger. He tested quite well athletically, and is another project worth looking at in a draft not considered as deep.
There are a lot of questions on what role he could play, but he at least fits a special teams role, and there are ample bodies in the room to let him develop. This is a position that San Francisco has traditionally developed well at, and Johnny Holland has a new young player to mentor.
Round 5, Pick 179: OL Enrique Cruz Jr.
Cruz looks more like a prototypical guard at 6’5, 315 pounds, and he’ll be another tackle candidate that might move inside in the pros.
Cruz is a lot different than Carver Willis, though. He’s got more strength, substituting athleticism there, as he plays with more power. He’s also got solid length for his size, which should play a factor.
We’ll see where he ends up, but it’s another dart throw for the 49ers on a reserve offensive lineman.
