San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch found solace in their defensive draft picks on Thursday and Friday night, marking a much-needed boost to the team’s depleted roster. The duo has been through a painful offseason, losing several productive veteran players to other teams.
Shanahan acknowledged that he was “in a version of NFL shock” as his glittering roster took shape with little major additions coming in the opposite direction. However, after selecting four promising defensive players, including Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins, Shanahan expressed relief and optimism about the team’s prospects.
“This is the first day I kinda exhaled since free agency,” Shanahan said, sharing a warm smile with Lynch. The 49ers’ focus on defense was deliberate, with Shanahan stating that they wanted to “fill out a lot of those spots” and address their biggest needs.
The four rookies are expected to play key roles in the team’s rotation, with Williams likely to start alongside Nick Bosa at defensive end, Collins moving into the tackle rotation, and Martin potentially joining Fred Warner at weak-side linebacker. Stout may have more competition for playing time, but a strong camp could secure his spot.
Shanahan and Lynch’s confidence in their young players is evident, particularly after last year’s rookie class was thrust into key roles due to injuries. The 49ers’ cash commitment is lower this season, making the draft’s outcome even more crucial.
“It’s a good foundation,” Lynch said. “We love our core of guys, but there’s a lot of opportunity on our roster right now.” Shanahan and Lynch have set the tone for optimism, which has been absent from 49ers HQ since last July.
Source: https://sfstandard.com/2025/04/26/49ers-nfl-draft-shanahan-lynch-analysis