Predicting the Top 49ers Rookie Standouts Next Season
The 49ers had a massive offseason in preparation for a bounce-back 2025 season. The 2025 NFL Draft was where they truly made their mark, revamping many positional groups and drafting prospects who had the potential to create immediate impacts. Since they’ve been drafted, some of those rookies have stood out while others are continuing to develop into what the organization drafted them to become. There is still a long way to go before any of them become building blocks, but I will be predicting which of them will have the opportunity or create the opening to change San Francisco’s trajectory for both next season and the future.
DE Mykel Williams
Mykel Williams will be asked to play a significant role in the 49ers’ defensive goals of stopping the run and disrupting the passer at an efficient rate. He has already shown great flashes in the rookie minicamp. However, injuries have already begun to pile up for the 49ers’ first-round selection. As he continues to develop his pass-rush skills and refine his great running-stopping ability, Williams should have a great opportunity across from former DPOY Nick Bosa. The 49ers haven’t had a stable situation at the position during Bosa’s entire tenure so far. Remaining healthy throughout his rookie season will be the main goal, and if he does, it should indicate big results for the Georgia product.
LB Nick Martin
Nick Martin has impressed in every stage of the offseason process with his anticipation, physicality, and speed. There’s no surprise that he has already earned respect from coaches and key veterans on the roster, such as Robert Saleh, Fred Warner, and Trent Williams. Most importantly, Warner has relayed the confidence of the organization in regard to Martin’s talent. Similar to Martin, Warner was a third-round pick and now will potentially be his partner for the foreseeable future after the departure of Dre Greenlaw. However, third-year linebacker Dee Winters, who has also impressed throughout the offseason process, will be battling Martin for the starting position. With built confidence from his draft position, though, Martin may earn a starting spot as a rookie by the start of the season.
CB Upton Stout
The selection of Upton Stout in the third round showed the team’s confidence in the impact he could make in Saleh’s defensive scheme. Stout will likely be slotted in at the nickel position alongside Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green on the outside. The key to any Saleh-coached defense is a highly productive nickel corner. Stout has the talent to develop into playing a similar role to K’Waun Williams and Michael Carter II on the 49ers’ and Jets’ past great defenses. With his production in run support and ability to fly around the field, Stout shouldn’t find any issue fitting in perfectly into the 49ers’ true defensive identity.
DT Alfred Collins
Alfred Collins, similarly to Williams, has been battling injuries throughout the offseason. However, San Francisco still expects him to create an immediate impact on the improvement of the team’s subpar run defense last season. The 49ers don’t want this archetype on the defensive line to fail again after drafting Javon Kinlaw in 2020. Collins was a force at Texas, clogging running lanes with his massive six-foot-six, 320-pound frame. He will be asked to do the same as he learns the wide-nine defense. As learned from his statistical production with the Longhorns, his impact won’t be felt on the stat sheet. However, his disruption and presence alone on the defensive line should generate the massive improvement we expect from the run defense.
WR Jordan Watkins
With the departure of Deebo Samuel and the absence of Brandon Aiyuk to begin the season, Jordan Watkins could be scheduled for a larger sample size than expected. Watkins was one of the few standouts in the rookie minicamp and carried that momentum to mandatory minicamp, where he built a valuable connection with quarterback Brock Purdy. Second-year wide receiver and former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall has been sidelined this offseason with a hamstring injury, and he has taken advantage of this opportunity. As Watkins displays his talent in the 49ers’ offensive scheme, he will only gain the confidence of head coach Kyle Shanahan. After Pearsall and new free agent acquisition Demarcus Robinson, the position group is wide open for Watkins to step up early next season.
