Odds are the 49ers will need more than eight passes if they're to win the NFC Championship Game next time, so it's little surprise they drafted a wide receiver in Thursday's first round.
But their path to Arizona State's Brandon Aiyuk certainly was surprising.
The 49ers, after drafting defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw at No. 14, traded up to select Aiyuk at No. 25 overall. For that move, the 49ers sent the Minnesota Vikings the No. 31st pick, plus picks in the fourth and fifth rounds.
In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (2) reaches out to make a touchdown catch in front of Washington State safety Skyler Thomas (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tempe, Ariz. The San Francisco 49ers traded up in the draft with the Minnesota Vikings to take him at No. 25 overall in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
General manager John Lynch wheeled and dealed to make the first two trades of the draft, and his first trade saw the 49ers acquire that fourth-round pick (No. 117) by sliding down from No. 13 to 14 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who also netted a seventh-round pick.
Aiyuk was the sixth wide receiver taken in the first round.
Only one wide receiver was off the draft board when the 49ers' turn came up at No. 13, that receiver being Henry Ruggs to the Raiders at No. 12. Between taking Kinlaw and Aiyuk, four other receivers got drafted: Jerry Jeudy (Denver Broncos, No. 15), CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys, No. 17), Jalen Reagor (Philadelphia Eagles, No. 21) and Justin Jefferson (Vikings, No. 22).
This is the 18th consecutive draft in which the 49ers have selected a wide receiver, including first-round picks Rashaun Woods ('04; No. 31) Michael Crabtree ('09; No. 10) and A.J. Jenkins ('12; No. 30).
Why this time?
Well, Emmanuel Sanders left in free agency. Marquise Goodwin is surely next out the door, be it by trade or release. The 49ers' remaining receiving corps includes strong potential but also injury concerns or players with small sample sizes in what's become a high-stakes arena.
The 49ers certainly want their younger returners to step up, including Deebo Samuel, Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis, Richie James Jr. and, if healthy, Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd. Also in that stable is a fellow speed receiver, Travis Benjamin, an eight-year veteran who arrived in free agency after stints with the Browns and Chargers.
The 49ers chose a defensive player with their top pick in six of the previous seven drafts: Eric Reid (2013), Jimmie Ward ('14), Arik Armstead ('15), DeForest Buckner ('16), Solomon Thomas ('17) and Nick Bosa ('19). All remain on the 49ers except Buckner, who got traded last month to the Indianapolis Colts for the 13th overall pick.
Other first-rounders used on wide receivers in 49ers history: Jimmy Johnson (1961; No. 6; also a cornerback), Bernie Casey ('61; No. 9), Lance Alworth ('62, No. 8; went to AFL), Dave Parks (1964; No. 1), Gene Washington (1969; No. 16), Jerry Rice (1985; No. 16), J.J. Stokes (1995; No. 10).
