Running back is one position that won’t land particularly high on a list of San Francisco 49ers needs in the 2025 NFL draft.
However, Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty may be an enticing option for the 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan when it’s their turn to select this year in Green Bay.
He was there at No. 11 overall in a mock draft from Pro Football Focus, but the 49ers avoided the temptation and added Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker to check off their top overall need.
Walker is a little undersized, but he has the tools to offer the kind of impact Dee Ford had for San Francisco in 2019 when he was healthy. The junior posted a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2024 after hanging up 5.0 in the 2023 season. He also racked up 19 tackles for loss.
Some of his peripheral numbers paint a better picture of his potential effect on the 49ers defensive line. Via PFF’s Trevor Sikkema:
The 49ers could use help in the trenches this offseason, and defense is the choice here due to it being the strong position in this year’s draft. Walker is listed as an off-ball linebacker, but he is at his best when rushing the passer as an edge. At 6-foot-2 and around 250 pounds, he’s a bit light on his measurables to be a full-time edge defender, but his 18.3% and 21.0% pass-rush win rates over the past two years are proof of his consistent disruption at that size. Walker is explosive and turns speed to power easily.
Various offensive and defensive tackles have been popular choices for the 49ers in early mock drafts, but a player like Walker better fits their organizational team-building philosophy.
They need some substantial additions to their pass rush to help Nick Bosa and establish the dominant front that is supposed to catalyze their defense. If they believe Walker is an edge defender who can consistently affect the opposing quarterback, it’s easy to see the 49ers putting his measurables aside and taking a swing on him at No. 11 overall.
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