The 2025 NFL trade deadline is in the books. And the San Francisco 49ers didn't make a single move on deadline day and will be moving forward with the roster as is. But, it's not as if the team isn't looking forward at ways to improve the roster in the future.
Particularly, the way they've consistently looked to keep the team in playoff contention, the NFL Draft.
From now until April 23, there will obviously be some serious changes being made to the roster, iIncluding what the picks for next year might look like.
But, let's take a look at how general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will look to bolster the roster in next year's draft.
Round 1: EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
The 49ers need to keep adding to the defensive line. The team has been hit hard by the injury bug with both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams tearing their ACLs.
So with the first pick, San Francisco should go with David Bailey.
David Bailey GIF by Texas Tech Football - Find & Share on GIPHY
Bailey has been an elite and consistent presence at the position for the last two years. In 2024 and 2025, he posted a defense grade and pass-rushing grade above 90. And this season, he's been a huge asset for the Red Raiders defense. According to Pro Football Focus, he's had a pass-rush win rate of 21.8 percent, and his true pass set pass-rush grade is an impressive of 94.6.
He would be a huge selection by the Niners in 2026 as the team looks to make coordinator Robert Saleh's defense even more elite. Plus with Bryce Huff set to be in a contract year next season, Bailey would be a great addition to have when the 49ers move on from him.
Round 2: Cornerback, Chris Johnson, San Diego State
The 49ers should be making a concerted effort in bolstering on defense. And one area the team needs to focus on is the inconsistency at cornerback. Although the group has shown plenty of flashes and potential with its three top players in Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green and Upton Stout, the defense needs guys who can create takeaways.
The Niners only have one interception so far this year. They have also forced eight fumbles (none of them from the secondary). And only Lenoir has a PFF coverage grade of at least 60.0.
San Diego State's Chris Johnson has not only intercepted five passes throughout his college career (three this season), but he's also come away with two pick-sixes. So far this year, Johnson has a coverage grade of 91.9, he's only allowed a completion percentage of 42.4, and his zone-coverage grade is a 90.5.
Plus he can play the run and is the type of fierce competitor the 49ers want at cornerback.
Round 3: Wide Receiver Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
The 49ers have been hit hard with the injury bug at receiver, too. Brandon Aiyuk has yet to play, Jauan Jennings has been dealing with broken ribs this season, and Ricky Pearsall has missed mutliple weeks prior to the trade deadline. And so far, the wide receivers behind those three haven't impressed.
Insert Omar Cooper Jr.
He has spent a majority of this season playing in the slot and his play has only jumped in production. He's already eclipsed his college career-best in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He's also put up 357 yards after the catch, which works to a strong 7.8 YAC per recpetion, which is in the top 20 among receivers in the nation. He's also top 15 among the receivers in receiving yards from the slot at 568 and is tied for third in missed tackles forced so far this season as well.
Plus, Cooper brings versatility to the position in the run game. He's had five carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns in the last two seasons along with a run-blocking grade this season of 68.0.
That's a huge plus for Shanahan whenever looking at his wide receivers.
Round 4: Safety Michael Taaffe, Texas
The 49ers are set to lose veteran safety Jason Pinnock in free agency, and Ji'Ayir Brown is going into a contract season. Because of this, San Francisco is in need of drafting a safety who can fill the needs if it potentially moves on from both of them.
All four safeties on the 49ers who have a coverage grade below 60. And both Brown and Pinnock have a missed-tackle rate of more than 16 percent.
Longhorn safety, Michael Taaffe would be a huge addition to help. His coverage grade and run-defense grade is good for an 88.0 or higher. He also has a missed-tackle rate of four percent. Plus, he has plenty of versatillity playing deep and also in the box.
Round 4 (Compensatory): Running Back Hollywood Smothers, NC State
Yes, we have the obligated Shanahan running back selection in this draft as well.
But in all seriousness, there are three reasons for this move. For one, Brian Robinson Jr. is in a contract year, and I can't see the 49ers re-signing him with the limited role he's been given. Second, the running backs behind Robinson have underwhelmed and have not been able to see the field.
Lastly, the offense needs someone to take a little bit of the pressure off of Christian McCaffrey.
Smothers not only is someone who has had success in the zone-run game at 81.6. He is a tough runner as he's averged an impressive 4.4 yards after contact (528 yards after contact in total) and has forced 36 missed tackles (tied for 23rd among running backs in the nation). He can also help in the passing game as a receiver, as he's ranked 26th in yards per route run at 1.21, which is about a yard more than Robinson.
Round 4 (Compensatory): EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF
Defensive end Malachi Lawrence would provide a lot of depth to an area where the 49ers can always look to add. He's a true pass-rush specialist in many different ways. He's primarily lined up outside the tackle, but he's found himself playing more in the B-gap and inside the tackle.
He has a pass-rush grade of 85.5 and an outstanding pass-rush win rate of 21.3 percent. He already has six sacks this season, is on pace to top his career-high and he has nine tackles for a loss.
Round 4 (Compensatory): Offensive Tackle Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M
Offensive line has been an important area for the Niners to improve on. Plus, with the future of Trent Williams being uncertain, San Francisco may need to start looking at possible replacements.
Trey Zuhn not only would bring added depth to a group that needs it, but he also has shown a willingness to be versatile throughtout the offensive line. He has played primarily at left tackle, but he's also taken some snaps at center as well. He would work best as a pass-protection specialist as he's posted a pass-block grade of 94.3 and a true pass set pass-block grade of 87.0.
Round 7: Defensive Tackle Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
Finally, we get to the interior defensive line. With Williams still recovering from his ACL tear, it could be an issue for him being 100 percent in defendig the run, which is why adding some depth to this area is always important.
Rayshaun Benny has a run-defense grade of 82.2 and a run-stop rate of 8.6 percent. It would be a huge lift as the Niners' defensive interior group doesn't have a single player with a run-defense grade of 54.0.