The San Francisco 49ers head into the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear and present need: fortifying the trenches. ESPN's premier draft analyst, Mel Kiper Jr., has zeroed in on this priority in his latest two-round mock, projecting the Niners to address both lines with their valuable early picks.

At pick No. 27, Kiper sends Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor to the Bay Area. This selection is a forward-looking move for an offensive line that hinges on the legendary but aging Trent Williams. While the team works through Williams's contract situation, the reality is the future Hall of Famer turns 38 this summer. Iheanachor, with 31 college starts and impressive 33⅞-inch arms, offers the athletic profile to develop into a long-term cornerstone, even if his football journey only began in 2022.

In the second round at No. 58, Kiper has San Francisco bolstering the defensive front with Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas. This pick directly attacks a glaring weakness from last season, where the 49ers' pass rush managed a league-low 20 sacks. While the expected returns of Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams will provide a major boost, Jacas brings immediate depth and production—he notched 11 sacks last season—to a unit that was decimated by injuries and lacked stability.

While some reports suggest the 49ers may not force an offensive lineman in Round 1, a player of Iheanachor's rising stock could be too good to pass up if he's available. Similarly, Jacas represents the kind of high-floor, productive defender who can contribute immediately. For a team without a third-round pick, hitting on these first two selections is paramount to building a roster capable of returning to the Super Bowl. Kiper's mock delivers two players who fill critical needs and offer both immediate support and long-term upside for a franchise in "win-now" mode.