Matt Barrows: Why the 49ers “added a lot of beef” to their D-Line
Apr 28, 2025, 3:14 PM | Updated: 3:22 pm
Matt Barrows, San Francisco 49ers beat reporter for The Athletic, joined Monday’s edition of The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to break down their 2025 NFL Draft results.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan took six defensive players, including their first five selections. The guys discussed if that could be the influence of returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
“It’s really a different defense than the one that we were discussing at year’s end,” Barrows said. “They added a lot of beef to that defensive line.”
It gives their defense a new look, and potentially paints a clearer picture of their plans in combination with the moves that they made in free agency.
Other Topics Discussed Include:
- C.J. West is one of his favorite picks because “he’s a real disruptor in the middle” compared to D.J. Jones
- Adding their middle pressure while letting the EDGE rushers finish players
- How the 2025 NFL Draft’s defensive line depth impacted Lynch’s free agency
- Thought the Saints would take Mykel Williams at 9th
- Jordan Watkins had the most 60+ yard plays in college football last season
- How Kyle Shanahan handles rookie wide receivers
- “Wouldn’t be surprised if Jordan James got a lot of playing time this season.”
- Junior Bergen: “They’re looking at him primarily as a return guy.”
- Keeping the Malik Mustapha ACL injury quiet while a targeting safety in the draft
- AND PLENTY MORE!
49ers 2025 NFL Draft Results:
- Round 1 Pick 11: Mykel Williams (Georgia, EGDE)
- Round 2 Pick 43: Alfred Collins (Texas, DT)
- Round 3 Pick 75: Nick Martin (Oklahoma State, LB)
- Round 3 Pick 100: Upton Stout (Western Kentucky, CB)
- Round 4 Pick 113: C.J. West (Indiana, DL)
- Round 4 Pick 138: Jordan Watkins (Ole Miss, WR)
- Round 5 Pick 147: Jordan James (Oregon, RB)
- Round 5 Pick 160: Marques Sigle (Kansas State, S)
- Round 7 Pick 227: Kurtis Rourke (Indiana, QB)
- Round 7 Pick 249: Connor Colby (Iowa, OL)
- Round 7 Pick 249: Junior Bergen (Montana, WR)
Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
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The following release is courtesy of San Francisco 49ers Communications
The San Francisco 49ers have selected defensive lineman Mykel Williams from the University of Georgia with the 11th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Williams played three seasons for the Bulldogs and was a key contributor on one of college football’s top defenses. He earned Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman honors in 2022 and was named second-team All-SEC in both 2023 and 2024. Over his career, he totaled 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks.
Read More:
49ers Select DL Mykel Williams with No. 11 Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
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