The 49ers’ draft ranking might catch fans off guard.

The 2025 NFL Draft has concluded, and the San Francisco 49ers are settling in with their new rookies as they prepare for offseason activities and rookie minicamp.

Although the 49ers selected 11 players, their draft class doesn’t particularly stand out. Even the No. 11 overall pick, Mykel Williams from Georgia, was considered a “reach” by some.

In his rankings of all 32 rookie classes, NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice placed the 49ers at No. 17, which surprised some fans.

Filice noted that defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s return to San Francisco made the team focus on improving their run defense. After a disastrous stretch where they lost seven of their last eight games, the 49ers ranked 30th in rush defense, allowing 145.3 rushing yards per game. To address this, they used three of their first five picks on players who can help shore up the defensive line.

Filice highlighted Mykel Williams, who, while still developing at just 20 years old, has the potential to become more than just a run-stopper. He will be coached by San Francisco’s defensive line coach, Kris Kocurek, to harness his full potential.

Along with Williams, third-round pick Nick Martin, a linebacker, is also expected to compete for a starting spot. Both players could be on the field in Week 1 of the 2025 season, though that remains to be seen.