The 49ers entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a clear plan: solidify their offensive line and add depth across the roster. Their vision, however, unraveled quickly in the third round, revealing just how fragile even the most meticulous draft strategies can be.

San Francisco’s front office had identified offensive tackles Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant as their top targets for the second pick in the third round. They were confident that one of the two would still be available, setting up a straightforward selection. But with the Raiders holding consecutive picks ahead of them, both linemen were scooped up before the 49ers had a chance to act. In a snap decision, San Francisco shifted gears, selecting cornerback Upton Stout instead.

While Stout was a prospect they had evaluated, the pick represented an unanticipated detour from the team’s original plan. For a roster already grappling with the impending transitions of aging stars like George Kittle and Trent Williams, the draft night pivot underscored a critical reality for the 49ers: their window to contend is narrowing, and the margin for error is thinner than ever.

Coach Yac shared on X, quoting insider Matt Barrows, “The 49ers had a late pick in the third round and just before they got on the clock, the Raiders had two picks… I think the 49ers thought one of those guys was going to be there.” 

After getting blindsided, Shanahan and John Lynch had no choice but to reshuffle their entire approach for the night. It wasn’t just about missing a tackle; it shifted how the 49ers handled needs across the roster. Instead of bolstering Purdy’s protection early, they had to bet on future depth at other spots. And while some insiders have praised the front office for staying flexible, others wonder if the quick change could come back to bite them once the season heats up.

It’s not the first time draft night has thrown curveballs, but losing two prime targets like that? No doubt Shanahan felt like a passenger rather than the driver of his draft — all while Tom Brady and the Raiders quietly laughed from the rearview mirror. But with the draft chaos behind them, the 49ers might have an even bigger issue looming. And this one involves a fan favorite. 

Are George Kittle’s exit rumors adding more pressure to the 49ers’ future plans?

If draft night wasn’t stressful enough, 49ers fans have another big concern looming over them — George Kittle‘s future. Reports have started to bubble up suggesting the franchise might eventually consider moving on from the Pro Bowl tight end, with the team’s financial puzzle growing trickier by the day. George Kittle’s name has been floated in potential future trade talks, especially with Brock Purdy’s next contract set to demand serious cap space.

While no immediate move seems close, the conversations hint that San Francisco is at least weighing life without some of their biggest stars. George Kittle has been one of the emotional anchors of the team, but at 30 and after battling injuries, the business side of the NFL might catch up sooner than expected.

Recent buzz suggests the team could be planning to quietly build depth behind Kittle at tight end, even if no obvious successor was grabbed early in this draft. After all, losing key offensive linemen only amplifies the concern about keeping Purdy safe, whether or not his star tight end is running routes downfield.

Shanahan now faces double trouble: balancing an aging core (Kittle, Trent Williams, etc.) while trying to infuse younger, cheaper talent into a roster built to win now. It’s a tightrope act, and moments like draft night reveal just how precarious it’s becoming for the 49ers to stay competitive without blowing up their salary cap.

For fans, it’s a tough pill to swallow. After all, the 49ers aren’t just trying to win — they’re trying to squeeze one more Super Bowl run out of this loaded, but expensive roster. Could the Raiders’ draft hijack be just the first domino in a much bigger shakeup for the 49ers?