The 49ers Shift Focus to the 2025 NFL Draft After Disappointing 2024 Season

As the 2024 season officially comes to a close for the San Francisco 49ers, the team faces a pivotal moment—turning its attention toward the 2025 NFL Draft. After a crushing 47-24 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers have secured the No. 11 overall pick in next year’s draft. This marks a significant point in the franchise’s journey, providing an opportunity to strengthen their roster and build for the future.

The Significance of the No. 11 Pick

The last time the 49ers held the No. 11 overall pick was in the 2010 NFL Draft, where they selected offensive tackle Anthony Davis out of Rutgers. Davis went on to have a successful career, starting 79 games for San Francisco, including eight playoff appearances. While the franchise’s recent draft history has been marked by high-profile selections, the No. 11 pick in 2025 offers a chance to secure another key player for their future. This could be a foundational piece that helps elevate the 49ers to championship contention in the coming years.

A Look Back at Previous Top-20 Draft Picks Under Shanahan and Lynch

Since the arrival of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, the 49ers have been no strangers to making impactful top-20 draft selections. Here’s a quick look at their notable picks over the past few years:

• Solomon Thomas (No. 3 overall, 2017) – The 49ers addressed a need at defensive tackle by selecting Thomas. Although his career didn’t fully live up to expectations, his selection was part of the team’s broader defensive rebuilding efforts.
• Mike McGlinchey (No. 9 overall, 2018) – A key player on the offensive line, McGlinchey has been a stalwart for the 49ers, helping to solidify their offensive line in both the run and passing games.
• Nick Bosa (No. 2 overall, 2019) – Perhaps the most successful of these selections, Bosa quickly became one of the best defensive players in the league, earning a Defensive Rookie of the Year award and solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the 49ers’ defense.
• Javon Kinlaw (No. 14 overall, 2020) – Kinlaw was brought in to strengthen the defensive front, and while his development has had some ups and downs, he remains a key part of their defensive rotation.
• Trey Lance (No. 3 overall, 2021) – The 49ers traded up to select Lance as their future franchise quarterback. While his development has been delayed by injury, the potential remains high, and his future in the franchise is still a point of anticipation.

Each of these selections has contributed to the team’s success and challenges, making the 2025 draft an important one for continuing to build around the current roster.

2025 NFL Draft: Where the 49ers Stand in the Order

With the 49ers’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals, they now sit at the No. 11 spot in the 2025 draft order. Here’s a snapshot of where the draft currently stands following the conclusion of Sunday’s games:

1. Tennessee Titans (3-14)
2. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
3. New York Giants (3-14)
4. New England Patriots (4-13)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)
6. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13)
7. New York Jets (5-12)
8. Carolina Panthers (5-12)
9. New Orleans Saints (5-12)
10. Chicago Bears (5-12)
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-11)
12. Dallas Cowboys (7-10)
13. Miami Dolphins (8-9)
14. Indianapolis Colts (8-9)
15. Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
16. Arizona Cardinals (8-9)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
18. Seattle Seahawks (10-7)
19. Houston Texans (10-7)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
21. Denver Broncos (10-7)
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
23. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
24. Green Bay Packers (11-6)
25. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
26. Washington Commanders (12-5)
27. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
28. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
29. Buffalo Bills (13-4)
30. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
31. Detroit Lions (14-2)
32. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)

For the 49ers, the No. 11 pick presents an opportunity to draft a high-impact player—whether it’s a game-changing defensive piece, a key offensive contributor, or a quarterback to add depth and competition. This pick has the potential to significantly shape the team’s future as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season.

A Bright Future Ahead

Despite the frustrations of the 2024 season, the 49ers remain a team on the rise, with a solid core in place. As they focus on the 2025 NFL Draft, their No. 11 pick could be the key to filling a gap or adding a necessary talent that propels them back into playoff contention. The choices made in this draft could shape the trajectory of the franchise for years to come, and with Shanahan and Lynch at the helm, fans are hopeful that the 49ers will continue to make smart, impactful decisions.

As the 2025 draft draws near, the anticipation builds for what could be another crucial moment in the 49ers’ storied history. Fans are eager to see how the team will leverage this draft to set the stage for a bright future.