49ers Sign Top Linebacker Warner, Secure 2025 Draft Pick Collins

As the San Francisco 49ers approach the 2025 NFL season, several key players and roster battles define their outlook amid a transitional period following a disappointing 2024. Nick Bosa, while still a dominant pass rusher and cornerstone of the defense, has slipped to 12th in Pro Football Focus' top 50 players due to injuries and a decline in sack totals. Linebacker Fred Warner remains a defensive leader and was recently ranked the best linebacker in the league by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, also earning a lucrative three-year contract extension with the 49ers. The team has seen roster competition emerge, particularly in the running back room, where undrafted rookie Corey Kiner may supplant special teams ace Patrick Taylor for a roster spot. Additionally, the 49ers secured their second-round draft pick Alfred Collins with a four-year rookie contract, bolstering their defensive line depth. Despite a tough 2024 season marked by injuries and free agent losses, six 49ers players, including Warner and tight end George Kittle, were named to PFSN’s Top 100 Players for 2025, underscoring their continued individual excellence and importance to the team's rebuilding efforts.