With the San Francisco 49ers’ chance of a late run to the postseason off the table, it’s time to officially keep an eye on draft season.
While the college football season is winding down with bowl season and the first-ever 12-team playoff, mock drafts are beginning to release with different projections for what John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers could do in the 2025 edition of the NFL draft.
In the latest mock draft from Curt Popejoy of USA TODAY’s SMG Draft Wire, the 49ers addressed their defense with not only their first round pick, but their second round pick as well.
With the No. 11 pick, Popejoy penned Michigan star corner Will Johnson to the 49ers.
Read the full mock draft here.
Johnson was a key piece of Jim Harbaugh’s national championship defense with Michigan in 2023, earning All-American honors with 20 tackles and four interceptions. Johnson had four tackles in the national championship game against Washington and picked off Huskies Heisman candidate Michael Penix Jr. before earning Defensive Player of the Game honors.
Widely considered one of the top prospects in all of college football, Johnson’s junior season was cut short due to a turf toe injury. Despite only playing six games, Johnson recorded two pick-sixs for the Wolverines in 2024.
Following Johnson’s selection in the first round, Popejoy went back to the defense in the second round for the 49ers. projecting South Carolina defensive tackle T.J. Sanders at pick No. 43.
The 6-foot-5 defensive tackle recorded 29 tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks in 12 games for the Gamecocks in 2024. In four seasons in South Carolina, Sanders notched 9.5 sacks.
The 2025 edition of the NFL draft is set to begin on April 24 in Green Bay.
This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
About the Author: Insidethe49
