Latest three-round mock draft sees 49ers lavish several gifts on Robert Saleh, including a 'seamless fit' for his defense
The return of Robert Saleh won't automatically return the San Francisco 49ers' defense to one of the best in the NFL following its dramatic 2024 drop-off. Saleh will need some new pieces to help him revitalize the group, and A to Z Sports' latest collaborative three-round mock sees the 49ers give him several. San Francisco's […]
The return of Robert Saleh won't automatically return the San Francisco 49ers' defense to one of the best in the NFL following its dramatic 2024 drop-off. Saleh will need some new pieces to help him revitalize the group, and A to Z Sports' latest collaborative three-round mock sees the 49ers give him several.
San Francisco's defensive front, long since the strength on that side of the ball, is now arguably the weakest area of the defense.
That is expected to be an area on which the 49ers will focus throughout the offseason.
Yet this mock sees the Niners instead choose to predominantly build on a strength by devoting their first two picks to the secondary.
Georgia safety Malaki Starks is a name that has appeared on several mock drafts for the 49ers already, and AJ Schulte has the 49ers taking him with the 11th overall selection.
Starks would remove the question-mark at the safety spot next to last year's fourth-round pick Malik Mustapha, who thrived as a rookie, with Talanoa Hufanga an unrestricted free agent and Ji'Ayir Brown coming off a disappointing second season.
Comfortable playing the deep middle, in the box and in the slot, Starks is a versatile chess piece who has previously displayed great playmaking ability for Bulldogs, recording seven pass breakups and three interceptions in 2023, and is very adept in man coverage. A partnership with the tone-setting Mustapha could be an extremely dynamic one.
Starks also has the potential to improve the 49ers' ailing run defense. Last season, he ranked ninth among safeties eligible for the 2025 draft in Pro Football Focus run defense grade, and missed only two tackles while defending the run.
In addition to potentially needing to fill the void left by Hufanga departing in free agency, the 49ers will also imminently have a hole at the cornerback spot, with Charvarius Ward likely leaving.
This mock sees the 49ers address Ward's departure with the second-round selection of Ole Miss' Trey Amos with the 43rd overall pick.
Described as a "seamless fit" for Saleh's scheme, Amos had 13 pass breakups and four interceptions in his final season with the Rebels, outstanding production for a player with the size and length to play as an outside corner on nickel downs when Deommodore Lenoir kicks inside.
San Francisco's final pick of the mock has them boosting their defensive front by taking Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart with the 75th overall pick.
Stewart had 22 tackles for loss and 14 sacks in two seasons with Michigan after transferring from Coastal Carolina, production he put together despite playing at 240 pounds. The 49ers might ideally want him to put some weight on to help ensure he can produce his best at the next level, but a strong week at the Senior Bowl could convince them he can deliver regardless of his frame.
Key takeaways for the 49ers from Day 1 of Senior Bowl practices: San Francisco has clear chance to get George Kittle some help
It’s a very tempting opportunity.
