NFC West 2025 NFL Draft Outlook, Team Needs: Can San Francisco 49ers Bounce Back Against Weakened Division?

Once dominated by the San Francisco 49ers, the NFC West is facing another year of mediocrity after a chaotic free agency period where they lost more than they gained. Can Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers flip their fortune and regain supremacy in 2025? Tipp Major discusses the NFC West and what each team needs in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Tipp Major

Apr 14 2025, 10:15am | 7 min read

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NFC West 2025 NFL Draft Outlook, Team Needs: Can San Francisco 49ers Bounce Back Against Weakened Division?

Looking back at the NFC West in 2024 raises several questions that need to be addressed in the upcoming draft. For several years, the 49ers stood out as the dominant team in the division. Have the dynamics shifted, or was this merely a temporary situation?

The NFL reminds us that change is constant, and that’s what we love most about this sport as fans. Join me as we explore each team’s first-round needs in the 2025 NFL Draft in this turbulent NFC West division.

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2025 NFC West ODDS

Los Angeles Rams +175
San Francisco 49ers +175
Seattle Seahawks +650
Arizona Cardinals +700

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NFC West 2025 NFL Draft Outlook and Team Needs

Los Angeles Rams

2025 Draft Picks

1st Round: Pick 26
3rd Round: Pick 90 and 101
4th Round: Pick 127
6th Round: Pick 190, 195, 201, and 202

2024 Record and Division Finish

Record: 10- 7
Division Finish: 1st

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (WR) Tyler Johnson, (WR) Cooper Kupp, (WR) Demarcus Robinson, (TE) Hunter Long, (OL) Jonah Jackson, (OT) Joe Noteboom, (Edge) Michael Hoecht, (DL) Neville Gallimore, (NT) Bobby Brown III, (LB) Christian Rozeboom, (S) John Johnson
Notable Additions: (WR) Davante Adams, (OT) Alaric Jackson, (DT) Larrel Murchison, (DL) Poona Ford, (C ) Coleman Shelton
Team Needs: Linebacker, Cornerback, Offensive Tackle, Tight End

Oh, what a difference an offseason makes. Out with the old and in with the…old? Cooper Kupp’s stint with the Rams is over. Now enters 32-year-old Davante Adams. Sure, he might be a year older than Kupp, but his play last year didn’t show. Had Adams not missed a few games in transit from leaving the Raiders to the Jets he would have been on par for 1200 yards and 10 touchdowns. This will be an interesting 2025 campaign for the Rams team.

As the Rams shift their focus to the upcoming draft, they need to consider the mindset of their standout wide receiver, Puka Nacua. Recently, he mentioned that he wants to retire from the NFL at the age of 30 to pursue a basketball career overseas. Fortunately, the Rams have time before that decision needs to be made. For now, prioritizing the offensive line is crucial to ensure that Matthew Stafford can stay protected in the pocket.

Coach Sean McVay values versatility in his OL, and Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas exemplifies that versatility. He has experience playing both guard and tackle, which can be a significant asset for an NFL team. GM Les Snead may need to strategize to get ahead of other teams also looking for offensive line help.

Seattle Seahawks

2025 Draft Picks

1st Round: Pick 18
2nd Round: Pick 50 and 52
3rd Round: Pick 82 and 92
4th Round: Pick 137
5th Round: Pick 172 and 175
7th Round: Pick 223 and 234

2024 Record and Division Finish

Record: 10-7
Division Finish: 2nd

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (QB) Geno Smith, (WR) Tyler Lockett, (WR) DK Metcalf, (TE) Pharaoh Brown, (OT) George Fant, (OT) Stone Forsythe, (OG) Laken Tomlinson, (Edge) Trevis Gibson, (Edge) Dre’mont, Jones, (DL) Johnathan Haskins, (DL) Roy Robertson-Harris, (CB) Tre Brown, (CB) Artie Burns, (S) Rayshawn Jenkins, (S) K’Von Wallace
Notable Additions: (QB) Sam Darnold, (WR) River Cracraft, (WR) Cooper Kupp, (WR) Marquez Valdes-Scantling, (TE) Eric Saubert, (Edge) Demarcus Lawerence, (CB) Shemar Jean- Charles
Team Needs: Offensive Line, Edge Rusher, Wide Receiver, Safety Depth

When discussing a quiet 10-win season with a lack of clear identity, one has to question the disconnect within the Seahawks. Was it the offense, or perhaps the defense that was the issue? Ultimately, due to the inconsistencies, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb became the scapegoat. While I believed he did well at times, there were moments when he struggled too. The key takeaway is that the vision Head Coach Mike Macdonald had for the offense did not align, leading to Klint Kubiak coming in to help steer the offense in the right direction.

Some key players have been added to the offense, such as Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (yes, even Valdes-Scantling is important in a Kubiak offense). Focusing on the defensive side makes the most sense for Mike Macdonald, as he aims to keep opposing offenses guessing. A player like Nick Emmanwori, a safety from South Carolina, could contribute to that uncertainty with his versatility. He is a significant presence in the secondary, particularly due to his size. I won’t mention him by name, but the Seahawks have dealt with a similar big safety in the past. Can you guess who I’m referring to? Here’s a hint: his nickname is “Bam Bam.”

Arizona Cardinals

2025 Draft Picks

1st Round: Pick 16
2nd Round: Pick 47
3rd Round: Pick 78
4th Round: Pick 115
5th Round: Pick 152
7th Round: Pick 225

2024 Record and Division Finish

Record: 8-9
Division Finish: 3rd

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (WR) Zach Pascal, (OT) Jackson Barton, (OG) Trystan Colon, (OG) Will Hernandez, (LB) Kyrs Barnes, (LB) Kyzir White, (Edge) Dennis Gardeck, (Edge) Julian Okwara, (DL) Naquan Jones, (DL) Roy Lopez, (DL) Khyiris Tonga, (P) Michael Palardy, (K) Matt Prater
Notable Additions: (QB) Jacoby Brissett, (WR) Simi Fehoko, (OT) Jake Curhan, (Edge) Josh Sweat, (DE) Calais Campbell, (DL) Dalvin Tomlinson, (LB) Akeem Davis-Gaither, (LB) Mykal Walker,
Team Needs: Offensive Line, Cornerback, Edge Rusher

After a significant Week 10 victory against the Jets, the Cardinals aimed to take control of the division and make a strong yet unexpected push for playoff seeding as they approached their bye week in Week 11. However, as is often the case in the NFL, things quickly changed. They lost five out of their next six games, effectively closing the door on their playoff hopes faster than you can say "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare!"

The Arizona Cardinals are in dire need of help on the DL, and bringing in Calais Campbell, even at his age, would provide a solid and effective presence. He could help mentor a young player like Shemar Stewart, an EDGE from Texas A&M. So, what kind of player are the Cardinals getting? Just ask South Carolina’s Jared Brown; it's impressive! Stewart displays immense will and determination in his pursuit of destroying opposing offenses. If he can learn under veterans like Campbell and newly acquired Josh Sweat, the Cardinals could pose a serious threat to opposing teams.

San Fransisco 49ers

2025 Draft Picks

1st Round: Pick 11
2nd Round: Pick 43
3rd Round: Pick 75 and 100
4th Round: Pick 113 and 138
5th Round: Pick 147 and 160
7th Round: Pick 227, 249, and 252

2024 Record and Division Finish

Record: 6-11
Division Finish: 4th

Departures, Additions, and Team Needs

Notable Departures: (QB) Brandon Allen, (QB) Joshua Dobbs, (RB) Jordan Mason, (RB) Elijah Mitchell, (WR) Chris Conley, (WR) Deebo Samuel Sr., (TE) Eric Saubert, (OT) Charlie Heck, (OT) Jaylon Moore, (OG) Aaron Banks, (OG) Jon Feliciano, (Edge) Leonard Floyd, (LB) De’Vondre Campbell, (LB) Dre Greenlaw, (DL) Maliek Collins, (DL) Khalil Davis, (DL) Javon Hargrave, (CB) Nick McCloud, (CB) Charvarius Ward, (CB) Rock Ya-Sin, (CB) Isaac Yiadom, (S) Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, (S) Tashaun Gipson, (S) Talanoa Hufanga, (P) Pat O’Donnel, (LS) Taybor Pepper
Notable Additions: (QB) Mac Jones, (WR) Demarcus Robinson, (TE) Luke Farrell, (OG) Ben Bartch, (LB) Luke Gifford, (CB) Tre Brown, (CB) Siran Neal, (S) Richie Grant, (S) Jason Pinnock, (LS) Jon Weeks
Team Needs: Offensive and Defensive Line, Running Back, and Corner

Football is a young man’s game we all know that. All that football the 49ers have been playing prior to 2024 finally caught up to them. Good because 49ers fans were starting to work our collective nerves. You needed to come back down to earth. We didn’t expect a plummet to last place in the division. Predicting a non-playoff season was a win, but we all know it won’t be long until they find their way back to the top. Getting DC Robert Saleh could be a start in the right direction.

Trench work should be a primary focus in this draft. Will the team lean toward offensive or defensive picks? Supporting Nick Bosa is a top priority for the 49ers, and a player like Jihaad Campbell, a LB from Alabama, could be the high-motor, speed-focused addition they need to create chaos alongside Bosa and help alleviate some of the pressure on him. Although Campbell recently underwent shoulder surgery and may drop in the draft, DC Saleh might want to persuade the coaching staff that Campbell could be a valuable piece in revitalizing the defense.

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Tipp Major

@tippmajor

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Tipp Major here, yes that is my real name! What can I say I LOVE SPORTS, particularly football. I especially enjoy Fantasy Football. When I am not watching sports, you can find me spending time with my family, at the gym, or at the record store! Oh ya, I love sneakers too.

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