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With the opening round of the 2025 edition of the NFL draft looming, legendary ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. linked up with fellow ESPN draft analyst FIeld Yates for a dueling mock draft. The pair of analysts rotated with each pick, dropping new projections for each team, including the San Francisco 49ers.
Before John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan hit the clock next week, Yates took a crack at the 49ers' selection in the first round, No. 11 overall. After Yates inked Miami quarterback Cam Ward to the Titans at No. 1 overall to start the draft, 10 picks later he penned Texas Longhorns star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks to the 49ers at No. 11.
According to Yates, the should be "forward thinking" with the selection of Banks, referencing their 37-year-old All-Pro tackle Trent Williams.
Via ESPN:
For more of ESPN's latest mock, including Yates and Kiper's picks for the second and third round, head to ESPN here.
Banks has the ability to impact the 49ers offensive line at either right tackle or guard right away while serving as the potential heir to Williams at left tackle in the future.
Banks played three seasons in Austin with 32 career starts on the offensive line. In his final season under Steve Sarkisian, Banks was named a first-team All-American. Along with being named an All-American and first team All-SEC, the 6-foot-4, 320 lb offensive lineman earned a flurry of trophies for his stellar 2024 season, including the Lombardi Trophy for the nation's top offensive lineman.
In 2024, Banks earned an 84.0 grade from Pro Football Focus, the fifth-highest grade for his position group. Banks' top graded game came in the Longhorns' 35-13 victory over Mississippi State with a 90.3 overall grade.
Banks is incredibly athletic and flexible for his size, with the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line, making the former Longhorn blocker an easy fit for Shanahan's offensive scheme. Banks uses his explosive athleticism to get out in space and crush defenders at the second level.
The 49ers round out the three-round projections by attacking their needs on the defensive line and in the secondary.
With the 43rd overall pick they select dynamic University of Tennessee pass rusher James Pearce Jr. That could wind up being a nice Day 2 find for the 49ers because Pearce is projected by some analysts as a first-round pick.
Later on Day 2, the Kiper and Yates mock have the 49ers going back to the Texas well. At No. 75 overall, the 49ers go with massive Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins. He measured in at 6-5, 332 pounds with 34 5/8-inch arms at the NFL combine. His production leaves a little to be desired, but he has all the size and athleticism to develop into a starting defensive tackle in the NFL.
With their final pick at No. 100 overall, the 49ers add some help in the secondary with Western Kentucky University cornerback Upton Stout. At 5-8, 181 pounds he'll likely be limited to slot work in the NFL which would push second-year CB Renardo Green back outside. He posted six interceptions across three seasons with WKU, including a career-high four last season.
The start of the NFL draft is set for Thursday, April 24, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 49ers bolster trenches, secondary in 3-round ESPN mock
Continue reading...
Before John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan hit the clock next week, Yates took a crack at the 49ers' selection in the first round, No. 11 overall. After Yates inked Miami quarterback Cam Ward to the Titans at No. 1 overall to start the draft, 10 picks later he penned Texas Longhorns star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks to the 49ers at No. 11.
According to Yates, the should be "forward thinking" with the selection of Banks, referencing their 37-year-old All-Pro tackle Trent Williams.
Via ESPN:
For more of ESPN's latest mock, including Yates and Kiper's picks for the second and third round, head to ESPN here.
Banks has the ability to impact the 49ers offensive line at either right tackle or guard right away while serving as the potential heir to Williams at left tackle in the future.
Banks played three seasons in Austin with 32 career starts on the offensive line. In his final season under Steve Sarkisian, Banks was named a first-team All-American. Along with being named an All-American and first team All-SEC, the 6-foot-4, 320 lb offensive lineman earned a flurry of trophies for his stellar 2024 season, including the Lombardi Trophy for the nation's top offensive lineman.
In 2024, Banks earned an 84.0 grade from Pro Football Focus, the fifth-highest grade for his position group. Banks' top graded game came in the Longhorns' 35-13 victory over Mississippi State with a 90.3 overall grade.
Banks is incredibly athletic and flexible for his size, with the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line, making the former Longhorn blocker an easy fit for Shanahan's offensive scheme. Banks uses his explosive athleticism to get out in space and crush defenders at the second level.
The 49ers round out the three-round projections by attacking their needs on the defensive line and in the secondary.
With the 43rd overall pick they select dynamic University of Tennessee pass rusher James Pearce Jr. That could wind up being a nice Day 2 find for the 49ers because Pearce is projected by some analysts as a first-round pick.
Later on Day 2, the Kiper and Yates mock have the 49ers going back to the Texas well. At No. 75 overall, the 49ers go with massive Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins. He measured in at 6-5, 332 pounds with 34 5/8-inch arms at the NFL combine. His production leaves a little to be desired, but he has all the size and athleticism to develop into a starting defensive tackle in the NFL.
With their final pick at No. 100 overall, the 49ers add some help in the secondary with Western Kentucky University cornerback Upton Stout. At 5-8, 181 pounds he'll likely be limited to slot work in the NFL which would push second-year CB Renardo Green back outside. He posted six interceptions across three seasons with WKU, including a career-high four last season.
The start of the NFL draft is set for Thursday, April 24, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2025 NFL draft: 49ers bolster trenches, secondary in 3-round ESPN mock
Continue reading...
