Last April, the San Francisco 49ers used three of their first five picks on defensive linemen, grabbing Mykel Williams with their top pick before selecting Alfred Collins and C.J. West in subsequent rounds.
Nearly two-thirds of the way through the 2025 season, the results have been mixed, at best, albeit promising. Williams, prior to his season-ending ACL tear, showed flashes of pass-rush ability despite not wholly impacting the stat sheet, while Collins has shaken early season woes and even delivered a game-changing play against the Los Angeles Rams in prime time. Even West has come on better as of late.