Most of the 49ers 2025 draft class is sorely lacking in one key area

USA Today

02-05-2025

Most of the 49ers 2025 draft class is sorely lacking in one key area
Relative Athletic Score has become a go-to tool for NFL draft analysts looking to quantify a prospect's athleticism and see how it may translate to the pros.
For San Francisco 49ers fans in search of their 2025 draft class's RAS, avert your eyes.
On a list compiled by Pro Football and Sports Network, the 49ers ranked a measly 23rd in average RAS. The good news is one player, running back Jordan James, drags the average down significantly. A pair of other draft picks didn't compile enough pre-draft athletic testing to qualify for an RAS score.
Via PFSN:
The San Francisco 49ers' 2025 NFL Draft class would've fared better from an athletic standpoint if it were not for Oregon running back Jordan James. His 4.65 score is well below average for the position. At 5'9 1/3" and 205 pounds, his size is a strong contributor to that low score. He also lacked explosion in the jumping tests.
Kansas State safety Marques Sigle had the highest score among 49ers draftees. His 9.64 ranks 44th all-time for free safeties. Sigle showed off his elite speed and explosion with a 4.37 40-yard dash and 10'10" broad jump. Iowa guard Connor Colby (9.48) also stood out. He ran a strong 5.11 40 and posted a 9'2" broad jump. He also has pretty good size for an interior offensive lineman.
Among the players who didn't qualify for a score were Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams and Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins. Collins has elite size at 6'5 1/2" and 332 pounds but put up terrible jumping numbers. Williams has a solid frame and good speed but had limited testing numbers.
While injecting more athleticism may be helpful in the near future, it's not a huge deal this year's class had a low RAS. Athleticism isn't the hallmark of James's game, which was apparent on film. Their two defensive linemen who didn't qualify are also quality athletes on tape, even if they're not elite in that department.
Overall the 49ers just need a handful of quality starters from this year's 11 draft picks. Their RAS is acceptable with that expectation. Don't be surprised if over the next couple of years the 49ers starting bringing in more high-ceiling players with greater athletic traits. The focus this season going toward players they think will contribute right away instead of toward high-end athletes makes sense. As long as their picks, particularly Williams and Collins, produce, their class's RAS ranking will be a forgotten bit of history.