Anonymous scouts weigh in on the 49ers’ 2025 NFL Draft

One of our favorite post-NFL Draft activities involves examining what actual scouts and NFL personnel think of the players the San Francisco 49ers selected, with a caveat: through the lens of what was said about them before the picks were made.

One of Fred Warner’s weaknesses in his scouting report was, “Will click motor off and coast at times when he’s on the back side of the play. Tackle consistency may be a concern on the next level. Unclear what his best positional fit is.”

This article features pre-draft quotes from football executives via Bob McGinn’s annual draft series and The Athletic’s Draft Confidential, courtesy of Bruce Feldman.

Let’s take a look at what insiders had to say about the 49ers’ selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Mykel Williams

Williams was fourth in McGinn’s edge rusher rankings behind Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker, and Shemar Stewart.

4. MYKEL WILLIAMS, Georgia (6-5, 267, 4.77, 1): Suffered an ankle injury in the opener, missed time and played 12 games. At the combine, he said he was “less than 60%” for the balance of the season. “He’s been beat-up,” one scout said. “He just doesn’t have the production you would expect out of his traits. I interviewed him. He got really fired up when I started asking him about teams banging on him on production. He said, ‘I can’t wait for this. I played what the coaches told me to play. I two-gapped a lot and they put me inside a lot of times. I’m an edge rusher, and I can have 10 sacks on the edge.’ That’s his narrative.” In 2022, Georgia edge Travon Walker (6-5, 270, 4.59, 35 ½ arm) was the first overall choice by Jacksonville. “Very similar,” the scout said. “Travon’s a little looser athlete. Definitely runs a lot better. Better in space. Mykel’s a little bit more of a power player where Travon could do a lot athletically.” Longest arms at the position (34 3/8). Hands were 10 ¼. “I thought this guy was better than Travon Walker,” a second scout said. “If he had had the year he was supposed to he would have challenged for the first pick in the draft. That didn’t happen.” Two-year starter. Finished with 67 tackles (23 for loss), 14 sacks and four passes defensed. “This is a true, 5, 6-technique but can play 4i,” said a third scout. “Has speed to power. Has enough bend and redirect. He can long-arm tackles off the edge. He was obviously really good last year and this year battled injuries. You can go look at the Texas game when he’s throwing guys around. You can’t have enough players like this.” Four-star recruit from Columbus, Ga. “He’s very similar to Travon Walker,” said a fourth scout. “Big tough-ass guy who looks like he should be a monster but he’s not. Reminded me of Boogie Basham that came out of Wake Forest and bounced around (four seasons, 4 ½ sacks). A lot of these Georgia guys, they play hard and they play their role but they don’t know how to play.” Added a fifth scout: “True classic 4-3 defensive end. He’s able to just beat up on a tight end and have enough pass rush to get home. No, he wouldn’t be a standup guy. I just didn’t see quite the athleticism in space to be a standup guy. I almost think, ‘Hey, maybe you bulk this guy up and he could be a 5-technique.’ That’s the way they played him some of the time. He stood up as well.”

More on Williams from The Athletic:

As promising as Carter and Walker are, there is some belief among NFL coaches that the most talented D-lineman available is one of Walker’s teammates at Georgia, Mykel Williams, a 6-5, 260-pound, 20-year-old who was slowed by an ankle injury for the first half of the 2024 season but dominated when he played Texas in two meetings (four sacks). Williams isn’t talked about in draft chatter as a sure top-10 pick, but make no mistake: there is a lot of love for him. “I think he will have a better career than Jalon or Abdul,” said DL coach No. 1. “He’s physical as f—. He played hurt this year — he didn’t care. Pullers come at him — he intends on f—ing them up. Guys I know at Georgia told me he’s gonna be better than Travon Walker, and I think Walker is a baller. Overall, I think he’s better than all of ’em.”

The 49ers love their “power players,” so it should come as no surprise that they coveted Williams. I don’t think it was close as to who the better prospect was between Williams, Carter, and Stewart. One of these prospects is a plug-and-play starter. The quote about Mykel getting fired up when talking about his stats was likely the case during most of his interviews.

Alfred Collins

Collins was third in McGinn’s defensive tackle rankings behind Mason Graham and Walter Nolen:

3. ALFRED COLLINS, Texas (6-5 ½, 332, no 40, 1): Playing behind a covey of NFL draft picks, he started just 12 of 48 games from 2020-’23 before starting all 15 last season. “He’s just a junkyard dog,” one scout said. “He just messes shit up in there. Just a load at the point of attack. He can jolt and snatch people. He takes it (double-team blocks) on. Got some sneaky quickness in the gaps. Plays with balance. Not much range. Not going to do a lot of sexy things. Pass rush? Just let just try to get some big push and use my length to try to mess things up. He’s the type of guy you need to win. Not gonna be a Pro Bowler or 10-sack guy. Just a guy in there wrecking things and being a problem … (Marcus) Stroud was a little more dynamic.” National Honor Society student in high school and earned academic honors at UT. “First round for sure,” a second scout said. “Talented but inconsistent. John Henderson. Wish he were a little more productive. Motor’s up and down. Inconsistent to finish. Technique and discipline in terms of playing upright. Body position at the point was inconsistent. He is powerful. He’s flexible for a tall guy; Henderson was stiff. Other than that, that’s who he reminded me of. Got really strong hands. Quick feet for a big man. Stout at the point. Got pretty good instincts. Good against the bubble. He’s got power rush. More first and second down but he can play on third down.” Finished with 141 tackles (18 for loss), seven sacks and 12 passes defensed, including seven last year. Arms were 34 5/8, hands were 10. “Good, solid player,” a third scout said. “Nothing great. He’ll be a sometime starter.” From Bastrop, Texas.

If the 49ers found John freaking Henderson in the second round, then we’re talking about one of the best picks in the entire draft, regardless of draft position. C.J. West was not listed in the defensive tackle article.

Jordan James

The next prospect ranked was James, who was RB13 in McGinn’s rankings.

THE NEXT FIVE Jordan James, Oregon (5-9 ½, 208, 4.52) Said one scout: “He’s OK. Everybody’s going to bump him up because of the (Oregon) kid last year (Bucky Irving, fourth round) who stirred everybody up in Tampa. He had a good rookie year so I think it will spook everybody to give him a (long) look. Third day.”

That quote makes little sense. James and Irving went to the same school, but that’s where the comparisons stop.

Kurtis Rourke

Rourke was QB11 in McGinn’s rankings:

Kurtis Rourke, Indiana (6-4, 220, no 40) Said one scout: “He was better than he was at Ohio U. He played on the ACL the whole year. You’ve got to give him some credit for that toughness-wise. More of a game manager. Has enough mobility. I know he’s been coached hard his whole life. He’s not a very good create quarterback but he can work the pocket.”

He was also listed as a sleeper for his position.

Connor Colby

Colby was IOL13 in McGinn’s rankings:

Connor Colby, Iowa (6-5 ½, 309, 5.10) Said one scout: “Four-year starter. He can get off the ball with quickness and attack blocks. Plays to the whistle and looks to finish and torque defenders. Above average lateral slide and anchor. Smart, competitive and played multiple positions. He’ll go Day 3 and stick on a team and could eventually work his way in as a starter.”

If Colby makes the roster, that would be a positive for the 49ers. If he saw the field at left guard, he’d be considered a steal.

Click here to read article