The 49ers haven’t kept it secret that they’re still looking to improve their receiving corps. A weak free agency class didn’t allow them to bolster their receiver depth chart. They did add struggling veteran Jordan Matthews on a one-year deal, but head coach Kyle Shanahan has said the club will continue to search for a receiver.
Given the late stages of free agency and the draft approaching at the end of April, it appears the 49ers will use the latter to acquire a new wideout.
When exactly the 49ers select a receiver remains to be determined. They may be eyeing a receiver early, but it wouldn’t be atypical of Shanahan to find a player late in the draft he believes fits what they need at that position.
In order to get a look at what receivers San Francisco could look at in each round of this year’s draft, we used the Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine to run through a seven-round mock where the 49ers only selected wide receivers. It’s a bit skewed because the 49ers don’t have a pick in Round 5 or 7, but they have a pair in Round 6.
Here’s what we came up with:
Round 1, N’Keal Harry, Arizona State
The 49ers wouldn’t use the No. 2 overall pick on a receiver, so the more likely scenario is selecting one in a trade down, or trading up to the back of the first round. Harry has a good combination of size and diverse route running ability that make him a No. 1 receiver candidate. He’s nasty after the catch and good making plays in traffic. Harry’s ability to threaten teams in the short and intermediate passing games while also presenting a good red zone target makes him a viable Round 1 option for the 49ers if they decide to take a big swing at the position.
Round 2, Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State
Harmon is an intriguing, big bodied pass catcher who doesn’t necessarily have all the hyper-athletic traits to be a No. 1 receiver, but he’s excellent with bodies around him and he’ll be a reliable go-to target to fill the role vacated by Pierre Garçon. He posted 150 catches for 2,203 yards and 11 touchdowns across his final two seasons in college. He posted five touchdowns as a freshman despite pulling in just 27 receptions. There are several receivers who the 49ers could target in Round 2, including South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel, but Harmon was the pick in this mock.
Round 3, Andy Isabella, UMass
The 49ers might snag Isabella if he falls to Round 3 even if they do pick a receiver in the second round. They might also bypass the position early in Day 2 if they anticipate Isabella sliding to the third round. Isabella, despite being just 5-9, 188 pounds has the versatility to play outside or in the slot. He ran a scorching 4.31 40 at the combine, backing up the phenomenal quickness he shows on tape. It’s easy to see with his diverse route tree and ability to separate how Shanahan might fall in love with him. A Round 3 selection of Isabella is a very real possibility if he falls there.
Round 4, Miles Boykin, Notre Dame
Boykin might’ve been the athletic marvel of all receivers at the combine. He’s 6-4, 220 pounds and dominated every athletic drill. His tape doesn’t show the same physically dominant player his workouts do though. He doesn’t physically impose himself on defensive backs as well as he probably should, and he’s at his most effective when getting vertical. However, his physical skill set is endless and he has every conceivable attribute to become a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. If the 49ers want to add a big-bodied receiver with incredible athleticism who may need a year of marinating, Boykin should very much be on their radar early on Day 3.
Round 6, David Sills V, West Virginia
Sills won’t be more than a late-round flier for San Francisco. He was an extremely reliable target for the Mountaineers during his final two seasons there with 125 receptions, 1,966 yards and a whopping 33 touchdowns. His ability to find the end zone has to put him on the 49ers’ radar, especially considering his ability to find production without top-end athletic traits. Sills would compete for a roster spot with Matthews, and he’d have a real shot to land a rotational role in the receiving corps if he continues to find the end zone in the preseason the way he did in college.
Round 6, Jalen Hurd, Baylor
Hurd is a fascinating prospect. He played running back for three years at Tennessee, but moved to receiver after transferring to Baylor, which makes sense given that he’s 6-5, 226 pounds. He’s very good after the catch and still learning the intricacies of playing the position. The 49ers aren’t likely to spend more than a late Day 3 pick on a player like Hurd. They need a player who can make an impact in 2019, and Hurd is only scratching the surface of his abilities as a receiver. However, if they wait until late in the draft to address the position, giving the Baylor product a shot might not be a bad idea.
