Purdy, Saleh and 49ers' Biggest Winners and Losers From 2025 NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers made 11 selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, and six of them were on the defensive side of the ball. As a result, there are some winners and losers based on what the team decided to focus on.

Some of the winners will have a role on the team, and some of the losers might have a largely reduced role as a result of the players drafted.

The Winners

Robert Saleh

With the team primarily drafting defensive players, especially with their higher picks, Saleh will have his fair share of new toys. The Niners have lost a number of guys this offseason, including Charvarius Ward, Dre Greenlaw, and Talanoa Hufanga, so them focusing on the defense was not much of a surprise.

Ricky Pearsall

Since the Niners did not draft a wide receiver until the fourth round, Pearsall does not have much of a threat to his job. As a result, the former Florida star will have a bigger role this year after the departure of Deebo Samuel. Pearsall racked up 400 yards while starting just four games in 2024, which bodes well for him hopefully starting all 17 in 2025.

The Losers

Brock Purdy

Since the team focused on the defensive side of the ball, that means that Purdy did not get any vastly upgraded weapons. The team also only added one offensive linemen in the seventh round, so Purdy does not have much better protection either. He was  sacked 31 times in 2024, which is not much compared to the 68 times Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams was sacked, but it is more than defenders got to him in 2023.

Isaac Guerendo

The young running back showed flashes of solid play in his rookie season in 2024, but injuries also plagued him. The team sured up their running back room being Christian McCaffrey by drafting Oregon's Jordan James. The explosive 5-9 back could take away a good chunk of Guerendo's snaps, even if he is able to stay on the field the whole season.