The San Francisco 49ers kept the defensive help coming in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, added their sixth defensive player in eight picks with the selection of Kansas State safety Marques Sigle in Round 5.

Sigle gives the 49ers an intriguing prospect who can help in a number of ways. Let's take a look at what to know about Sigle and where he fits in as he heads to the Bay.


Versatility that will help his cause


Sigle (5-11, 199) is listed as a safety but can play multiple spots in the secondary if need be. He played cornerback early in his career at North Dakota State before spending time at free safety at Kansas State.

"I can do anything that you ask," Sigle told 247Sports last year. "Getting in the run fit, guarding somebody, playing spots, spot dropping. Anything you ask, (I'll) do."

Sigle also showed his ability on special teams in his second season at North Dakota State (2022), leading the team with 11 special teams tackles.

Sigle's versatility will help him with what could be a competitive situation at safety, where the 49ers have Ji'Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, George Odum, Jason Pinnock, Jaylen Mahoney, Quindell Johnson, and Richie Grant. Odds are Brown, Mustapha, and Odum will get three roster spots between them, which may leave just one for Sigle and the other players.

Speed to spare


Sigle had a solid pre-draft process, where he opened some eyes at the East-West Shrine Bowl before running a 4.37 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Sigle's 40 time was the fastest among safeties this year.


Sigle added a 38-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10 feet, 10 inches, which helped lead him to the third-highest athleticism score among safeties at NFL.com.

What to improve


Sigle has drawn some criticism from scouts for missed tackles. Pro Football Focus recorded Sigle as having 13 missed tackles in each of the past two seasons.

"He's a physical run defender who can blow up plays in the backfield but is in too big a hurry as a tackler, resulting in a higher miss rate," NFL.com scout Lance Zierlein wrote of Sigle. "He might lack the necessary speed and instincts to make plays in coverage from man or zone. Sigle is listed as a safety, but he will need to play near the line of scrimmage or as a big nickel with coverage limitations."

Sigle has also dropped some interceptions in the past. He told K-State Online before the 2024 season that he needed to work on keeping things simple in his head in order to avoid drops.

"I think last year I was overthinking -- 'I need to do this, I need these picks' -- instead of just letting it come to me," Sigle said.


A new trash talker?


The 49ers already have some elite trash talkers on their defense, led by linebacker Fred Warner and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. It sounds like they'll have a new partner in crime in Sigle, who nominated himself as the biggest trash talker on Kansas State's defense during his interview with K-State online.

"I'd say me. I'm very competitive in everything I do... I'd say I'm the biggest trash talker," Sigle said.

Highlights and stats


After playing in just one game at North Dakota State in 2020, Sigle became a regular contributor in 2021 with 23 tackles, one interception, and five passes defended in 13 games with five special teams tackles. His performance earned him a spot on the All-Newcomer Team for the Missouri Valley Football Conference. In 2022, Sigle had 27 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions to go with the aforementioned 11 special teams tackles.

Sigle became an immediate starter after transferring to Kansas State and won All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors after totaling 63 tackles. He finished his career as a captain and racked up 60 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and six passes defended in 2024.

Take a look at Sigle's highlights below:




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