Draft Preview: Defensive Line

Wingspan. We needs it. [Inside the Star]

Like all defenses, ours is better with a healthy rotation of defensive linemen. While defensive backs and linebackers are asked to play a much larger chunk of defensive snaps, the constant impact and energy expenditure of defensive linemen (along with their larger size) means they need to be rotated out more to be kept fresh. And while our shift to a Wide 9 front paid dividends in 2019, the aggressive nature of that alignment and scheme means we always need to have defensive line depth. Otherwise, our starters get tired and we can wind up looking like we did near the end of the regular season.

So this year, like probably every year, we’ll be taking a good long look at whose available along the defensive line, both to add depth and (potentially) a future starter.

Defensive Tackle 

Necessary traits: Playing along the interior of the line, defensive tackles need to be better against the run than their edge counterparts, as they're more likely to see double teams and there are fewer ways to compensate for a blown-out hole on the interior than on the edge. Our wide 9 system still asks the nose tackle (DJ Jones) to anchor some against combo blocks, but in general we're looking for quicker, penetrating dudes (like DeFo) as our goal is to knife past the linemen or ride a shoulder to string out a play rather than shoving a guard into the backfield via brute force.

Roster need: I know that DeFo is gone and that leaves a hole, but -- as discussed in length previously -- I don't love the idea of trying to fill that hole immediately with a defensive tackle at 13. In part because we have some young guys who could step up in a rotational manner, in part because we can't just spend all our picks and money on the defensive line and see that as a sustainable strategy. That being said, losing DeFo and backup Sheldon Day and having Solly on the last year of his contract means adding someone later in the draft could make sense. So for the most part I've included options along the interior with projections more on the second day and later.

That being said...

Derrick Brown, Auburn: If Brown is on the board at 13 we should totally take him. An absolute monster of a man, Brown uses explosive power, long arms, and brute strength to constantly win at the point of attack. And despite his subpar testing numbers, he has the range and the instincts to gobble up ball carriers and get after the quarterback. Because he rushes upright and inefficiently at times, there are some questions as to whether or not he'll ever make the jump from pocket pressurer to sack man, but he has the talent, production, instincts, and positional versatility, to thrive in our scheme. [Top 10]

Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina: One of the most popular picks in many mock drafts for us at 13, Kinlaw is an explosive, long-limbed (83" wingspan) athlete with the physical profile (6-5, 324 pounds) of an absolute terror on the interior. Adept at the swim move and with the elite burst to dive into the backfield in a hurry, he'd likely be at his best in attack mode and avoiding double teams in our wide 9 system. His potential is as high as it gets, and that -- combined with his work ethic -- makes it understandable why so many people would see him as a natural fit. That being said, the consistency is severely lacking in his tape. His instincts aren't really there yet and his mechanics are sloppy. Yes, he saw double teams often and didn't have the luxury that Brown had of playing beside another top 50 pick on the interior, but 18 TFLs in 34 career starts is worrisome. His upright style makes his long frame play against him at times and leads to balance and body control issues, and it's worth wondering if the wide 9 scheme that he could eventually thrive in may also allow him so much space and freedom early in his career that it could stunt his growth. The potential is there, and -- at his best -- the Chris Jones comparisons make a lot of sense. But that's at his best. If we're picking him at 13 we'd better be confident he'll approach that level. [Top 15]

*Ross Blacklock, TCU: A bit longer and leaner than most prospects (6-3, 290 pounds), Blacklock shows great short-area quickness and agility and good top-end chase speed (4.90 forty). Really athletic in short areas, showing some Aaron Donald-ish shades. Slips off blocks and squares up to play multiple gaps against the run and shows the effort and agility of a disruptive pass-rusher. But a lot of that's still projection, as he's currently a better pressurer than he is a finisher. Plays high at times and thus has some issues holding up against double teams and big power inside, but this could be mitigated somewhat by our attacking style. Tore his Achilles and missed all of 2018, but returned looking full-strength. Needs consistency and clean-up, but there's a lot to like. [1st - 2nd Round]

*Justin Madubukie, Texas A&M: Also on the leaner side (6-2.5, 293 pounds), Madubukie makes up for his lack of size with leverage, power, and an explosive get-off. Really good body control, movement skills, and flashes good chase down speed (4.83 forty). Plays strong and powerful, but his lack of size and anchor ability shows when his pad level gets inconsistent. Has flashed ability as a pass rusher but doesn't have a lot of counters and lacks the fluidity of stringing multiple moves together that makes someone like Nick Bosa so incredibly effective. He's a three-tech with nice upside, but is a bit of a project. [2nd Round]

*Raekwon Davis, Alabama: A towering man (6-6, 311 pounds) with a rare combination of leverage, height, and power that at times resembles DeFo (but is not nearly the explosive athlete). Has good movement side-to-side and is at his best as a two-gapping run-stuffer where he can show off his raw power. Seemingly doesn't have incredible pass rush traits due to his lack of burst but did rack up 10 TFLs and 8.5 sacks as a sophomore in 2017, which hints at potential pass-rush upside. That being said, when he took on a full-time starting role he had fewer tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (2) in the next two years combined than he did as a sophomore, which brings up a number of questions about maturity and work ethic. [2nd - 3rd Round]

*Jordan Elliott, Missouri: A Texas transfer who didn't start a game his first three years in college, he dedicated himself to the weight room, lost 30 pounds prior to his junior year, and put together a strong 2019 season. Good first step quickness with explosive upper body strength and strong handwork to keep blockers off his frame, excelling most as a stack-and-shed type against the run, but could take a step forward in the pros as he's faced with fewer double teams. A physically impressive prospect with all the necessary physical traits and a trajectory that's pointing upwards, he certainly seems to have his best football ahead of him, but teams will have to be sure they're fine with the emotional immaturity that led him to transfer from Texas and the fact that he'll have to stay on top of his weight throughout his professional career. [2nd - 3rd Round].

*Larrell Murchison, N.C. State: With a smaller frame and less than elite athleticism, Murchison gets by with great hustle, good short-area quickness, and a knack for finding the football. While his ceiling is much lower than many others, his technical skill set and motor will likely keep him around the league for a while. He projects best as a rotational three-tech, perhaps similar to the role Sheldon Day held for us last year. [4th Round]

*Malcolm Roach, Texas: A former defensive end in a 3-3-5 scheme, Roach is a bit of a tweener, with shorter arms for a defensive lineman and lacking the athleticism to stick on the edge. That being said, he's got some one-gapping ability, good instincts to find the ball in the backfield, and provides some positional versatility as a backup subpackage player tasked with getting backfield penetration. [5th - 6th Round]

I’d have to learn how to spell his name, but it could be worth it [Sam Wasson / Getty Images]

Defensive End

Necessary traits: The Wide 9 emphasizes speed from our edge rushers, but when employed with a good first step, great leverage, power, and hand-fighting can also be highly successful (see: Bosa, Nick). Basically, with the wider alignment (in the "9" gap extended a full split outside of the tight end), they have to be able to aggressively collapse to the quarterback, while keeping the discipline and strength to hold up against off-tackle runs, and the disengagement skills and change-of-direction necessary to play contain.

Roster need: We have two sure things locked up for the next handful of years in Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead. Dee Ford, while highly disruptive when he's been healthy, is -- if reports are to be believed -- theoretically available for the right price. Ronald Blair is a great talent off the bench but is recovering from an ACL injury and is on a one-year contract. With so many question marks, what we're likely looking for is a versatile defensive end (not a direct replacement for Ford), who we can expect to play with our second line and get some snaps on the edge when Armstead slides inside on passing down.

With Armstead and Bosa in the fold, I wouldn't expect a first-round pick to be used on an edge rusher, so I haven't included anyone with a locked in first-round grade. And with Dee Ford still likely here for at least another year, the most likely scenario is that we get a defensive end on the third day or we pick up a second-day prospect who has slid in the draft.

*Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State: Long levered, flexible athlete whose long-striding speed, wingspan (82"), and action-figure-like hip fluidity to turn the corner resemble Aldon Smith (off the field... jk). While he doesn't have a huge pass rush toolbox, he's already stringing together what he's got and his coachability is said to be high (although he was suspended for the 2019 season for a violation of team rules). He doesn't have an explosive first step, needs technical refinement, and will require some time to continue filling out his frame, but once he does he could be both an impactful edge rusher and someone who has the size and length to condense inside on passing downs. [1st - 2nd Round]

Josh Uche, Michigan: A one-trick pony who does that one trick very well, Uche is an explosive athlete off the edge with the bend, flexibility, and length to chase down quarterbacks and ball carriers. He's super dangerous on loops and twists and is able to slip into tight spaces with speed. But against the run? You're not getting much. He's vastly undersized for the edge (6-1 245 pounds), spent the large majority of his career as a pass-rush specialist, and will need a lot of coaching to make him a more complete rusher and complete player. If picked, he would project more as an eventual Dee Ford replacement [2nd Round]

Julian Okwara, Notre Dame: While we're on the subject of explosive edge rushers who lack refinement and size but have high speed rusher potential, Okwara has got the first step, bend, and pursuit speed to develop into an edge specialist. He even has some coverage experience and, when he can convert speed to power, packs some punch with his hands. Like Uche, he is a minus run defender, and he lacks many pass rush tools and the ability to string them together. He also plays a bit out of control at times, projecting him as a high-risk, high-reward speed rusher. [3rd - 4th Round] 

*Kenny Willekes, Michigan State: A former walk-on who built a career for himself that included 229 tackles, a school-record 51 TFLs, and 26 sacks over three years based largely on hard work, relentless effort, and really good ball-hunting instincts. He's got strong hands and great body lean and plays with his hair on fire (for better or for worse, as he tallied nine penalties in 2019 alone). The question now becomes how he translates to the professional level, as he lacks ideal size and length and is an average-at-best athlete. While he will likely top out as a rotational piece, he's typically the kind of player you don't want to bet against and could be a nice addition late in the draft. [5th Round]

*Alton Robinson, Syracuse: Explosive edge rusher with the first-step quickness (35.5" vertical), long arms, and long-striding speed (4.69 forty) of a disruptive NFL pass rusher and a player drafted in the first two days. In fact, coming into this season, he was expected to be drafted in the first two days. But after recording 10 sacks as a junior, he followed up with 4.5 as a senior. Despite showing good handwork and tenacity, he doesn't have ideal bend, which gets him too far upfield at times and makes it difficult for him to run the arc. And while he shows flashes of speed-to-power with a nasty bullrush, his overall strength is subpar, which hurts him against the run and as a tackler. Additionally, he was arrested in 2016 for stealing an ex-girlfriend's purse and allegedly pushing her into a bush and suspended for Syracuse's 2018 bowl game. While there are those who say character is no longer a concern, anyone looking to draft Robinson will have to do a deep dive in determining whether the risk is worth the reward of an off-the-bench edge rusher. [5th Round]

*Derrek Tuszka, North Dakota State: Small-school standout with very intriguing potential given his draft projection. Totaled 40.5 TFLs and 28.5 sacks over three years as a starter for the Bison, a team that has won 8 FCS National Championships in 9 years. Instinctual player who has aggressive, active hands, uses a handful of basic rush moves to good success and tested fairly well athletically with a 4.79 forty and an outstanding 6.87 cone drill that really accents his hip bend and movement skills. In terms of frame, he's a bit of an OLB tweener, with lack of ideal bulk and functional strength to hold up against the run, and -- perhaps the biggest red flag of all -- short arms. That being said, the production, movement skills, and temperament project him as at least a situational pass rusher as well as an intriguing developmental player who -- as he adjusts to the jump in competition and adds more counters to his pass rush repertoire -- could have the upside for more. [5th - 6th Round]

*Ron'dell Carter, James Madison: Another FCS standout, Carter started at Rutgers before transferring to JMU, where he improved each year while leading the team to a FCS Championship berth as a senior. In 2019 he tallied 66 tackles, 27 TFLs, and 12 sacks and that production plus his solid size (6-2.5, 265 pounds) and length (80") makes him an intriguing late round prospect. While not a plus athlete or standout in any particular way, he'll have a chance to prove himself in training camp somewhere. [7th Round / UDFA]

Offensive Line + Tight End Breakdown

Wrapping up the offensive side of the draft preview with offensive line and tight ends. I know the Niners have also looked at and interviewed both quarterbacks and running backs in this class, but any quarterback will likely be an undrafted free agent (UDFA) to compete in training camp while any running back will likely be a late round or UDFA addition (and would require us moving on from someone in our currently crowded backfield).

So, I decided to focus on the offensive line and tight ends, two position groups that we’re almost certain to add talent in the draft or (in case we don’t find the right fit at tight end) in the bargain bin of free agency.

This man (#74) ran almost as fast as Jarvis Landry at the combine [USA Today]

OFFENSIVE LINE

As stated before, the only position coaches the Niners sent to the combine this year were their WR and OL coaches. They WILL be picking an offensive lineman in this draft. It’s just a matter of who, when, and what position they’ll be playing.

As a quick recap, the Niners could select (1) a tackle who can eventually succeed Staley and potentially compete at guard right away, (2) a guard who can play sooner rather than later, or (3) a future center who can compete at guard this year.

Since I have no access to endzone cameras and sideline film of offensive linemen is largely useless, I'm simply going to break everyone down into groups, summarize the consensus opinion on a handful of prospects, star(*) those that have e-visited with the Niners, and put their projected draft slots in [brackets].

Immediate Starting Tackle

Any tackle we’re looking at really needs to be able to move so they can function in our outside zone scheme, so we typically look at athleticism over raw power. All of this crop of guys could be immediate starters on the outside, but -- considering Joe Staley should be playing with us for at least one more year -- could easily moonlight on the inside at guard while they bide their time.

Jedrick Wills, Alabama: Mauling run blocker on both the first and second level, Willis has excellent foot quickness, a powerful punch, and explosive leverage. A student of the game, he has consistently improved in pass protection, and while he will occasionally overset or get beat inside, he has the tools to shore up his few weaknesses and reach his All-Pro upside. He also will be long gone by the time we pick. [Top 10]

Tristan Wirfs, Iowa: An absolute freak of an athlete who, despite a 6-5 320-pound build, can power clean 450 pounds and notched a 4.85 forty and 36.5" vertical at the combine. Despite lacking ideal length, oversetting at times, and having inconsistent footwork, he rarely loses in pass protection, and has elite ability as a zone and stretch run blocker. He would slot in as an immediate starter at guard and a future mainstay at tackle in our stretch running game. He’s worth a long look in the unlikely case he's around at 13. [Top 10]

Mekhi Becton, Louisville: Pairs massive body (6-7 364 lbs.) with long arms (7-foot wingspan) and shockingly quick feet. His frame, powerful hand punch, and movement skills project him as a high-upside anchor-type who can excel in a number of different schemes. That being said, his bust potential is higher than the names listed above because of the quickness and potential weight concerns that come with a player of his frame. Also, he had a positive drug test at the combine but as it was for marijuana, it’s unsure how/if that really will effect his draft stock. While the potential is sky-high with Becton, we may opt instead to pick a tackle later on who is a bit leaner, more mobile, and thus better suited to our outside zone scheme. [Top 15]

Year 2 Starting Tackle

These guys aren't likely to play a lot as rookies, which is good because while they all possess certain franchise tackle traits, they each need to clean up their technique and/or add strength before seeing major snaps

*Josh Jones, Houston: Plus athlete with smooth movement skills and great bend who thrives in space. While he's a better pass blocker than run blocker at the moment, he's super comfortable climbing up to the second level, pulling across the formation, and working outside the tackle box, and projects best in an outside running scheme like ours. Needs to add weight and strength and has work to do in terms of technique and consistency, but improved vastly during his senior season, and the fact that he played for three different coaching staffs and five different OL coaches during his college career must be taken into account. As a perfect athletic fit for our system, Jones could be a one-year bench stash who gives us a succession plan to Staley. [1st - 2nd Round]

Austin Jackson, USC: A two-year starter at USC, Jackson is raw but has flashed high-level play that matches his elite athletic traits (5.07 forty at 6-5 322 pounds). Has quick, agile feet, and mirror ability that projects well, but needs to work on the hand placement on his punches and develop more strength throughout his long frame. Lower floor than some, but plenty of upside to work in a movement-based offense such as ours. [1st - 2nd Round]

*Ezra Cleveland, Boise State: Great athlete who has the body control and rare foot speed (4.93 forty at 6-6, 311 pounds) to comfortably operate outside the hashes, work up to the second level, or mirror defenders in pass sets. Smart, technically sound, and seems tailor-made for our outside run game, but his lack of overall strength and explosive punching power make for issues when anchoring. Bulk/strength and coming from a Non Power 5 school were the big knocks on Staley back when he was drafted. If Cleveland can increase his playing power and mean streak then he'll be a steal at his current position. [1st - 2nd Round]

Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn: A very latecomer to the sport, Tega Wanogho didn't play football until his last year of high school and didn't play offensive line until college. However, his rare athletic ability let him transition quickly. He's very comfortable in space, has great recovery quickness, and possesses the bend of a starting NFL tackle. But despite 32 starts over four years, he's still new to football and has technique, timing, and experience concerns. With good coaching, he seems to have the athleticism, intelligence, work ethic, and coachability to iron those concerns out, but how long will it take for him to actualize his potential? [3rd Round]

Developmental Guard

A pure guard drafted in the top 2-3 rounds would likely be expected to compete for major playing time immediately. However, with Brunskill in the fold and his arrow pointing up, I wouldn't expect any selection at this position until the third day.

At guard we are a little more flexible with what we're looking for. A guy who can pull and get out in space is preferred, but someone like Laken Tomlinson (who gets by more on strength than on movement skills) can succeed in this system when surrounded by other mobile players. But they have to be able to seal block on stretch plays. Additionally, two of the guards who we've interviewed have been more power-scheme road grading types with struggles in space, so perhaps the Niners are looking for a run game subpackage guy now who they can hope to develop into a future starter? 

*Damien Lewis, LSU: Thick, physical road-grader in the run game who gets a ton of movement on power and inside zone concepts, but has had his struggles playing in space and is only okay as in pass pro. Limited athleticism and balance on the move make me question the fit, but he was one of the Niners' pre-draft visitors so will include him. [3rd - 4th Round]

Netane Muti, Fresno State: Insanely injury-prone player who has missed all but five games in the past two seasons, but is a bully in the run game and has high-end developmental traits that would have likely made him a selection in the top two rounds if not for injury. Only potentially worth it as a flier late in the draft to stash on the PUP list. [5th - 6th Round]

Danny Pinter, Ball State: Smaller guy with strong movement skills who plays well in space. Currently lacks the functional strength to be a full-time player but could potentially develop into one with weight room work and patience. [5th - 6th Round]

*Michael Onwenu, Michigan: Massive guard (6-2.5, 344 pounds) with tons of power and surprising body control and agility for a man of his size, he'll need to work to keep his weight down and is perhaps a better fit for a power scheme as he's not totally comfortable in space, but there's traits to work with as a developmental player. [6th Round]

*Cordel Iwuagwu, TCU: Another medical case, Iwuagwu started every game as a senior and created some scouting buzz because of it. He's got good size and length and some natural power to him, but would need to fix his balance issues for him to contribute as a pro. [7th Round / UDFA]

Future Starting Center / Immediate Competition at Guard

All centers have to be smart communicators. Our centers really have to be able to move. Combo blocking and smoothly working up to the second level are a must, as is the ability to reach block when covered. Pulling into space isn't as much of a staple, but if we're drafting someone in the first two days with the intention of them becoming a long-term starter, I'd say it's a must as well.  

If we're looking for a center prospect who could moonlight as a guard, we luckily have some options this year. Each of the top four prospects at the position could be long-term centers, but only the top two seem guard capable from the jump.

Cesar Ruiz, Michigan: Smart, athletic, and quick on his feet (5.08 forty at 6-3 307 pounds), Ruiz started two straight years at center and the last five games of his true freshman campaign at guard. He played in a pro-style scheme his first two years then -- after some adjusting early as a junior -- moved smoothly into a spread scheme to cap off his college career. He's not going to be a massive anchor against power rushers, but his guard/center flexibility, plus athleticism, and great intelligence and field awareness should give us a long-term starter and both immediate and future positional flexibility. [1st - 2nd Round]

*Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSU: In addition to having a name that sounds like a British dignitary in the 16th century, he's super long and powerful and will not lose reps to bull rushers. Very smart and did well in pass pro  despite LSU's heavy reliance on five-man pass protection sets. Has potential space concerns as he isn't the athlete that Ruiz is, but moves well and is certainly athletic enough to work to the second level and reach defenders in our stretch running game. [2nd Round]

Matt Hennessy, Temple: Very good athlete who is at his best on reach blocks and seal blocks, while mirroring defenders, and really at any point where he can use his great foot quickness and balance. Smart guy, team leader, and hard worker, but has ordinary point-of-attack strength and isn't going to road grade anyone. Unsure if he has the power to play guard or not. [2nd - 3rd Round]

Nick Harris, Washington: Athletic prospect who is quick to climb, pull, or in general move on to the second level where he excels. Gritty, smart, and makes and communicates split-second reads. Has some power issues and gets overeager at times. May be limited to center only. [3rd Round]

*Kyle Hinton, Washburn: Small-school prospect is leaner and lighter than most, but is a really good athlete. Super quick slider, pulls well, and seems to understand hitting angles on a moving target. Was actually an All-American in both football and track (throwing) last year. However, he was a small school tackle and will require multiple years of development, coaching, and weight training as he adjusts to the massive jump in competition. That being said, getting an eventual interior starter or guard/center swing this late in the draft is a good way to maximize pick value and stock the cupboards for the future. [7th Round]

*Luke Juriga, Western Michigan: A four-year starter, Juriga played guard until his senior year, where he moved to center and had his best season. He's got solid athleticism and tenacity, but his lack of length hurts him. Unsure of long-term potential, but could be a practice squadder as we find out. [UDFA]

Remember when this game meant something? [Robert Fauthier / Los Angeles Times]

TIGHT ENDS

The Niners are looking for someone who can take some of the load off of Kittle and who can make their 12 personnel groups a bit more formidable on passing downs. That being said, it's a little hard to determine what exactly it is that we're looking for in this supporting role. The job title would seem like a dual-threat who can catch and block, but the interest in Austin Hooper and Jordan Reed implies that perhaps the blocking isn’t that important and the focus is on receiving ability. If that’s the case, then maybe we’re looking at someone who could create mismatches underneath and on play action?

Regardless, we currently don’t have a single selection between picks 32 and 155, and I don’t think we’d use a second-round pick (even one acquired in a trade) on a player that tops out as a backup. Thus I've cast a wide net and listed a couple of options who could be available in the third round or later.

Adam Trautman, Dayton: Despite playing only quarterback through his freshman year of college, Trautman leaves Dayton as the most accomplished receiver in school history. A smooth, fluid athlete who had the third-best three-cone time (6.78) in the entire combine (and you know how much Shanahan loves the three-cone), Trautman won't burn by anyone, but he's plenty athletic to become a starter in the NFL. A jump ball specialist with a basketball background, he'll need work as both a receiver and a blocker to adjust to the NFL's huge jump in size and competition. While he'd be a good fit with the Niners, he'll likely get swooped up earlier by a team in need of a starting tight end. [2nd - 3rd Round]

Cole Kmet, Notre Dame: The latest from Notre Dame's factory of giant WRs and TEs, Kmet (6-5.5, 262 lbs.) was a fifth-round pick by the Chicago White Sox out of high school and played both football and baseball while at Notre Dame. A long-strider with solid speed (4.7 forty) and linear explosiveness (37" vertical), he's shown flashes and has good potential as a seam stretcher and jump ball weapon and should develop more quickly now that he's focusing on one sport. At this point he's frankly not a blocker, and he's also likely to be off the board by the time we pick. [2nd - 3rd Round]

Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri: A "move" tight end with tremendous speed (4.49 forty). Racked up 11 tugs as a sophomore and an additional 12 in his last two seasons in college. Can box out and win at the catch point and clearly has the physical traits to stretch the seam. That being said, it kind of seems like all he does is run straight down the field or play jump balls. That's one thing if you constantly blow by defenders and come down with contested catches, but that's far from the case. Other than TDs, his stats were pretty lackluster throughout college, and since anyone who is drafted outside of the last ~two rounds will be expected to play next year, Okwuegbunam seems a little risky for what we're looking for at the position. [3rd - 4th Round]

Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic: The first Non-Power 5 player to win the John Mackey Award for the nation's top tight end, Bryant led all tight ends in receptions (65) and receiving yards (1,004) last year, projecting as a technically sound receiver who finds openings in zones and presents a little burst after the catch. While a fluid athlete, he's not going to win a ton of box out battles as he lacks ideal bulk and has small hands and short arms for his stature. Those issues translate down to his blocking, which is fundamentally sound and done with strong effort but will be an issue if he's asked to play inline consistently. As a move tight end with a high floor, Bryant could be a decent pickup depending on where he falls in the draft. [3rd - 4th Round]

*Devin Asiasi, UCLA: A former highly touted recruit who initially signed at Michigan and showed promise as a two-way stud before transferring to be closer to home, Asiasi is a large-bodied guy (6-3 257 lbs.) with smooth athleticism, quick feet, strong overall movement skills, and decent top-end speed (4.74 forty). A tough receiver over the middle with a huge wingspan (80") who is a load to take down after the catch, he's raw in his routes as well as his blocking technique, but he saw action in all 13 games at Michigan as a true freshman due to his blocking prowess so it wouldn't be insane to believe his lack of development has largely been a coaching problem (cough, cough, Chip Kelly). Supposed to be a good dude, but I'm sure the Niners asked him about his three-game suspension at UCLA in 2018. A quality two-way backup with starter potential down the road could make for a nice addition at the right price. [3rd - 4th Round]

*Hunter Bryant, Washington: Whether it's his big-play speed or his ability to sky up to haul in 50/50 balls, Bryant's film is filled with plays that make him look like a giant wide receiver. Loose, smooth, and with better field speed than timed speed, he's more of a move TE (or in our offense, potentially even a fullback?) as he lacks the size (6-2 248 lbs.) or the blocking prowess to be a full-time inline tight end. In fact, it's doubtful he'll ever become a plus blocker, but then again... Jordan Reed; Hunter Bryant has several similarities. With upside as a receiver and the movement skills to develop into a mismatch problem, Bryant could be a nice addition. But he also has an extensive injury history, which I'm sure was part of the reason the Niners wanted to chat with him before the draft. [3rd - 4th Round]

Colby Parkinson, Stanford: At 6-7 252 pounds, Parkinson towers over his competition. While not an incredible athlete, he is a smooth and fluid one with the hips and high-point skills to win more than his fair share of 50/50 balls. Super secure hands (only three drops in college), enough speed to stretch seams given his size, and intriguing red zone potential could make him an interesting option on play-action passes and near the goalline, but it's hard to say if he has the burst, quickness, or nuance to his game to ever become a more complete receiver. Also, he'll likely never become a plus blocker. [4th - 5th Round]

*Charlie Taumoepeau, Portland State: Less than a 50/50 chance he gets drafted by anyone given he's almost certainly more of an H-back / full back than he is a tight end in the pros, but is an early candidate for this year's Daniel Helm priority free agent who makes the practice squad. Tested okay (4.75 forty, 36" vert, and impressive 7.00 three-cone), which may ease some concerns about if his limited athleticism will translate to the pros. Smooth as a receiver and was a second-team All-American (FCS level, 2018). Universally lauded for his effort as a blocker. Kind of shit on all the FBS competition he faced, including 5 catches for 152 yards and two scores against Oregon. Despite lack of explosive ability, size, or dynamic playmaking, he's a try-hard guy who could make the practice squad and get developed. [7th Round / UDFA]

GIGANTIC Wide Receiver Breakdown

This photo is 100% lifted from [SB Nation]. My apologies. I don’t have Photoshop skills

Well this got out of hand in a hurry…

The Niners, whose only position coaches at the combine this year were for WR and OL, seem poised to select a wide receiver at some point during this draft. The question is when.

I’ve already gone over the top three wideouts on the board, but there are a handful of signs (to be discussed later) that point to the Niners maybe not going that way at 13. Luckily, if we trade down, pick another position, or wait until 31 or later to go wideout, there are plenty of options on the board.

Here are breakdowns of a few of those options, starting with a rounding out of the (consensus) top 10 wideouts and then a quick look at a variety of guys who could be available later in the draft.

Names are ordered based on the general consensus of their position ranking and draft projection, which is based on the aggregate rankings of The Athletic, NFL.com, CBS Sports, and ESPN.

NOTE: I do NOT like all of these guys, at least when it comes to value vs. draft projection and fit/need within our offense. But there are so many guys clustered around the 1st-2nd round that I’ve included as many of them as I could just for reference. For the Day 3 guys, I’ve just thrown a wide net to highlight some of the more interesting players who could be available and how they differ in position and fit.

Justin Jefferson, LSU

Height: 6-1
Weight: 202 lbs.
Wingspan: 78”

Savvy, competitive slot receiver with the short-area quickness and smarts to forge a long NFL career, even if it’s in a supporting role

A competitive and physical slot receiver, Jefferson has good size and great length (6’6” wingspan) to go along with smooth athleticism, the loose hips and tracking ability to adjust to and secure deep balls, and a knack for getting open with a lot of tools that are hard to teach. That includes pacing in his routes, mixing up tempos, and using hesitation moves, head fakes, and jukes to spring himself at the top of his stems. Add in his great awareness for finding the soft spot in zones and fitting himself into passing windows, and he’s a high floor type of player.

But there are genuine questions about his ceiling. While he gets separation out of breaks, that’s the only time you see him distance himself from receivers. Despite playing in an empty-heavy pass attack that spreads the field and gave him more open space and mismatch advantages than he will ever see in the NFL, defensive backs often stuck to him early and late. Part of that is cause his routes still need cleaning up and he struggles to beat the press. Part of that is because — despite strong sprinting and leaping numbers — he just isn’t that explosive of an athlete. 

Fit the Niners: It’s not great. Jefferson’s most translatable skill set is as an underneath specialist, which we have plenty of on the roster. And it would be a very bad sign for the recovery of Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd if we were to draft a pure slot receiver in the first round, especially in a class that is deep enough to find a role player / injury assurance later on.

NFL Comp: Jarvis Landry, LSU (Browns)

Position Rank: 4.0
Projection: Top 25

Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State

Height: 5-11.5
Weight: 205 lbs.
Wingspan: 80”

Big-play YAC monster who lacks polish but has the explosive traits to develop into a well-rounded and dangerous outside threat

Explosive athlete who plays faster than he tested and profiles as a big-play threat both as a vertical receiver and with the ball in his hand. Accelerates to top speed in a hurry, doing a ton of damage busting angles on slants and in general thriving in space both on offense and special teams (where he averaged 32 yd/KR and 16 yd/PR last year). Interesting body type gives him the best of both worlds; his below average height (a shade under six foot) lets him move with great fluidity both in his routes and while adjusting to the ball in the air, while his 6’8” wingspan (one of the longest in the class) gives him the length of a much bigger receiver. 

You just wish he’d use that wingspan a bit more, particularly against press coverage, where he has no excuse to let people into his pads but does so anyway. And despite his length and athleticism, he doesn’t stand out as a dominant jump ball guy, showing natural hands to pluck on the run but sometimes letting the ball into his body a bit. As a route runner he has good potential, but didn’t run a full route tree at ASU, rounds his breaks too much, and doesn’t show enough upper body movement (head fakes, shoulder lean, etc.). Overall, he lacks polish, but has the physical traits and skill set to develop into a true No.1 with a penchant for big plays.

Fit with Niners: Aiyuk is definitely an outside receiver and profiles as someone who could potentially play the Z or X position. He needs refinement and better use of his length to become a regular vertical threat in the NFL, but has the athletic profile to get it done, and would immediately be a big play guy in our chunk passing game. The thought of Deebo, Kittle, and Aiyuk on catch-and-runs would be terrifying to opposing coaches. If we miss on CeeDee Lamb, Aiyuk could become someone who gives us similar big-play ability.

NFL Comp: Greg Jennings, Western Michigan (formerly Packers)

Position Rank: 5.25
Projection: 1st-2nd Round

Tee Higgins, Clemson

Height: 6-3.5”
Weight: 216 lbs.
Wingspan: 81”

Long acrobatic jump ball threat who will need to overcompensate for his lack of short-area-quickness and burst with his 50/50 ball ability

Long, lean, and with one of the best wingspans in this crop of receivers, Higgins has some of the best hands in this class and makes a living off of winning contested balls at the catch point. He does well in traffic, using his big body to shield defenders from the ball and running hard after the catch. He's an improved route runner, with the frame to add muscle, and an accomplished redzone weapon and deceptive deep threat due to his long-striding speed (25 TDs in the last two years).

Like many tall possession receivers before him, you have to ask the question of whether his lack of separation skills will nullify his ball skills in the pros. Despite his long-strider speed, he's far from a burner, and he isn't particularly quick or explosive, with subpar burst out of his breaks. He doesn't get separation in short-to-intermediate routes, and his play strength and bulk aren't enough to muscle defenders away to compensate. Higgins' decent long speed and top-end ball skills make him less likely to fully flop than many tall, non-explosive, wideouts of drafts past, but -- given the poor hit rate of that profile -- this is the type of receiver I typically try to avoid. 

Fit with Niners: If he were more explosive he could project as an X, but Higgins doesn't really fit the profile of wideouts that Shanahan & Co. like to pursue. While his 4.58 forty was less than ideal, his 31" vertical and 10'03" broad jump numbers were likely more damaging, as they reaffirmed his lack of explosive ability found on tape. The one thing that Shanahan receivers NEED to do is separate. Thus Higgins seems unlikely.

NFL Comparison: DeVante Parker, Louisville (Dolphins)

Position Rank: 7.25
Projection: 1st-2nd Round

Michael Pittman Jr., USC

Height: 6-4
Weight: 223 lbs.
Wingspan: 79.25”

Big, strong, possession receiver lacks explosive upside but should settle in as a reliable No.2

Unsurprising given the frame of his former NFL father, Michael Pittman Jr. is a big, well-built dude who uses his size and strength in every facet of his game. He's tough to press, boxes out defenders with his large frame, and runs hard after the catch. He's also got highly reliable hands, securing the catch whether it's tracking the ball deep down the field or snagging catches in traffic. 

But his ceiling's capped as he's nothing special as an athlete. Got open deep more often than expected in college, but lacks the speed to do that in the pros. Isn't particularly sudden or explosive, and may get called for the occasional pass interference for being overly physical on underneath routes. Isn't a dynamic YAC threat, getting extra yards with power but won't break big plays with the ball in his hands. Has a long history of injury issues.

Fit with Niners: While he could theoretically play a "bully" X role similar to the role envisioned for Pierre Garcon when he joined the Niners, Pittman -- much like Tee Higgins -- doesn't really fit the mold of a Shanahan receiver due to his lack of explosiveness and separation skills. Pittman could become a reliable No.2/3, but it likely won't be with the Niners as I would expect them to be looking for a different skillset from the position high in the draft.

NFL Comparison: Bigger Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers (Patriots) with shades of JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC (Steelers)

Position Rank: 7.75
Projection: 2nd Round

Jalen Reagor, TCU

Height: 5-10.5
Weight: 206 lbs.
Wingspan: 74 3/8

Explosive space athlete who excels with the ball in his hands, but there are many questions on how best to get it there in the first place

Raegor is explosive enough that a 4.47 forty time at the combine was deemed legitimately disappointing. However, his speed is far better than that time would indicate and the rest of his explosive testing numbers (42" vertical, 138" broad) better match his tape. His highlights are overflowing with game-breaking home run plays whenever he gets the ball in his hands, whether on jet sweeps, screens, or downfield passes. He is a tremendous natural runner who gets to top speed immediately, is electric in the open field, and can (and has) scored in pretty much every way imaginable throughout college. That includes as a true receiver, where he had over 1,000 yards receiving and nine scores as a wideout in 2018 (in addition to 130 rushing yards and two scores on the ground) and showcased his potential as an NFL wideout.

In fact, if he was eligible to declare after his 2018 season he'd almost certainly have been a first-round pick, but in 2019, his production dropped off alongside a poor TCU offense, and he started to show more drops and more uneven effort and temperament. It's possible that was simply a product of frustration given the team's struggles, as Raegor is said to be one of his team's hardest workers, but his lack of clear progress as a junior leads to a number of developmental questions. He has route running ability, but it's far from a finished product, and he struggles with stronger press corners. He catches the ball outside his frame but had major focus drops in 2019 and may never become a contested-catch threat. He's a boom-or-bust prospect, and while he's not as rough around the edges as the dreaded Urban Meyer H prospect (Braxton Miller, Curtis Samuel), his floor seems just a notch above, while his ceiling could be something closer to Stefon Diggs -- a top-flight athlete who suffered from a lackluster supporting cast in college.

Fit with Niners: The hope would clearly be that he becomes the latter of his projections, a true inside-outside threat who could play Z as well as H in our offense. But immediately, he'd likely be used more as a gadget/utility player or broken into the offense over the season like Deebo last year. Expect lots of slants, screens, reverses, and at least the threat of vertical routes as he builds into a more complete receiver.

NFL Comparison: Curtis Samuel, Ohio State (Panthers) <-> Stefon Diggs, Maryland (Vikings)

Position Rank: 8.0
Projection: 2nd round

Laviska Shenault, Colorado

Height: 6-0.5
Weight: 227 lbs.
Wingspan: 76 1/4

All-purpose bulldozer who brings versatility and unmatched physicality to the position, but his durability and developmental concerns will require the proper fit, patience, and injury luck in order to maximize his potential

Shenault is the only player in this class whose highlight reel includes Mossing a DB on a deep ball, ankle-breaking a DB off a curl route, and trucking a defensive lineman in the backfield on a fly sweep. He was a true all-purpose threat for the Buffaloes, lining up everywhere (including Wildcat quarterback) for Colorado, where he was a one-man offense (in his three years at CU, there was only one Colorado offensive player drafted, and that was in the sixth round). A power running back with the ball in his hands, a bruising physicality imbues everything about his game. He trucks would-be tacklers, throws smaller DBs who try to press him, and drags multiple defenders in the open field. As a runner, he's got great natural instincts and makes big plays beyond his athleticism. As a receiver, he has quick, strong hands, excelling over the middle and in dealing with contact (only 7 drops in three years). Down the field, he tracks and adjusts to the deep ball well, winning at the catch point even with contact.

However, Shenault's versatility and workload have taken their toll on his development. He's been asked to do so much, he hasn't had time to develop the nuances of simply playing receiver, a fact that's shown in his rudimentary route-running skills and inconsistent technique. He also plays so physical and takes (and dishes) so much contact that he has major durability concerns, with the past two years including toe, shoulder, and core muscle injuries that have required surgery. Finally, as an athlete he's just not particularly fast or explosive. Even if he cleans up his technique, he's unlikely to get tons of separation on the pro level. All this makes him a major boom-or-bust prospect so landing in the right situation will be particularly important in determining which he becomes.

Fit with Niners: Shenault needs good coaching, some patience, and a creative play-caller to get the most of his ability, and we have all that in spades. But seeing as we already have Deebo Samuel, would drafting Shenault mean the Niners are trying to create a "Warriors-on-grass" lineup of tons of versatile positionless wideouts? Or perhaps they'd be looking at Shenault as more of a receiver/pass-catching running back? Or maybe something in between, like a backfield-leaning Jalen Hurd? We're probably looking for more speed and vertical stretch at the position given what we have, but if Shenault were to slip...

NFL Comparison: Higher variance Deebo Samuel, South Carolina (49ers)

Position Rank: 8.25
Projection: 2nd round

Denzel Mims, Baylor

Height: 6-3
Weight: 207 lbs.
Wingspan: 78.5”

Big-bodied athlete with the elite size-speed ratio and movement skills to become a true No.1... if he becomes much more consistent

A physical freak who proved his rare athleticism at the combine. Despite his 6-3, 207-pound frame, he recorded a 4.38 forty, 38.5" vertical jump, 10'11" broad jump, and 6.66 cone drill -- all top-eight finishes among receivers and the best cone drill mark at the combine by a very large margin. Those movement skills show up on film, where he can run by defenders, flip his hips with ease, and make acrobatic catches look routine. His size, length, and fluidity make him a redzone nightmare (28TDs in three years) and a constant back shoulder threat, and while Baylor's route tree was rudimentary, Mims showed out well at the Senior Bowl with more advanced route running and release techniques. He also flashes plus play strength, showing great physicality at the top of routes, with the ball in his hands, and as a run blocker.

But you wish those flashes were more of a regular occurrence, as lack of consistency is clearly Mims' greatest drawback. He doesn't blow by defenders as often as he should given his speed, he drops too many passes, particularly when he's contacted at the catch point, and in general, his sense of urgency seems to wane from down-to-down. Yes, he has work to do in the route running department, but it's this lack of consistency that is Mims' greatest question mark and what will determine if he rises to his significant ceiling or drops to his equally drastic floor.

Fit with Niners: Mims is an X receiver through and through. And while Kendrick Bourne does a lot of good things for us, he's not a deep threat or a back shoulder threat, and adding a vertical stretch and outside the hashes option would give our offense a substantial boost. If he can develop and maximize his tremendous potential of course.

NFL Comparison: Courtland Sutton, SMU (Broncos)

Position Rank: 8.75
Projection: 1st - 2nd Round

Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) Wideouts

As stated before, this is a VERY deep receiver class. Here are a handful of other intriguing wideouts who could go in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

KJ Hamler, Penn State

Diminutive but explosive space player can score from anywhere on the field but may lack the hands to become a full-time contributor out of the slot

Hamler is lightning in a bottle, showing as good of burst, start-stop ability, acceleration to top speed, and open field ankle breaks as anyone in a draft class full of satellite players. In two years of play he averaged nearly 17 yards/catch and scored 13 touchdowns, showing the growth and potential as a route runner that makes you think he could become a full-time slot. That being said, he is 5-8.5, 178 pounds and thus vastly undersized for the position; while he competes hard, he doesn't show more strength than you'd expect given his size. Ultimately, he's never going to be a winner on contested catches, as he is a small target who doesn't wall off defenders and he has some of the shakiest hands in the class (FBS-leading 12 drops in 2019). But speed and playmaking in space are at an all-time high and someone will take the risk believing they can develop him. Whoever does should have a specific plan and creative play-caller to employ him, otherwise, he could be Tavon Austin 2.0.

Projection: 2nd Round

Chase Claypool, Notre Dame

Physical specimen with incredible size-speed ratio who excels at 50/50 balls but lacks route-running polish and instincts

A future X receiver through and through, Claypool combines a 6-4 238 pound frame with a 4.42 forty and 40.5" vertical. And while he doesn't play that fast on tape, he certainly plays that big and explosive. He thrives on contested catches, shifting the odds in his favor on 50/50 balls and excelling in the redzone and on vertical routes. But he's very raw as a route runner and on his release and lacks the hip fluidity and explosive burst out of cuts to project as a surefire separation getter on short-to-intermediate routes. Perhaps that won't matter due to his size and physicality, but to become a true three-level threat he'll have to improve a lot of the more nuanced, instinctual part of playing the position, and that's always the hardest thing to project.

Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round

Bryan Edwards, South Carolina

Big, strong, athletic, and flashes total package wideout skills... if only he were more consistent and polished

There's another world (and perhaps another class) where Edwards would be valued closer to the top of the second round. But after multiple injuries kept him out of the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine and then COVID-19 prevented him from holding a pro day, working out with teams, or getting a medical check, his stock has taken a hit. That could certainly benefit whoever picks him, as he has a tantalizing size-speed combination, plays tough and strong all over the field, flashes the acrobatic and incredible catch (like the first two in his highlight reel), and has started a whopping 47 games (with a catch in 48 consecutive) throughout college. But oftentimes his game doesn't resemble a player with that much experience. His route running is lacking, as is his positioning and body usage on down the field throws, and drops have plagued his tape. And unlike someone like Jeudy or Raegor whose drops have surfaced in a single season and could be an outlier, four years of proof practically assures Edwards will have some issues with his hands in the pros. That being said, there's a lot to like in what he offers, and if a coaching staff can get him to more consistently focus and hone his technique, he could be a savvy buy-low candidate who greatly outperforms his draft slot.

Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round

Van Jefferson, Florida

Master route runner with consistent hands won't wow anyone but could carve out a long career as an underneath possession receiver

Formerly a member of the same Ole Miss class that included DK Metcalf and AJ Brown, Jefferson was always the most polished of the three. As the son of a long-time NFL player and receivers coach, that shouldn't be surprising. In terms of pure technical skill, his routes rival Jerry Jeudy's, showing all the footwork, hips, and burst out of his breaks to get open while moving all across the formation. He does all the little things well and has consistent hands to boot (only 4 drops in past two years), but his physical traits are average or below it across the board. He's not particularly strong, has speed that is average at best, and -- while his foot speed is quick -- he just isn't very explosive. He's never going to be a 50/50 threat or a playmaker after the catch. At 6-0 200 pounds and with a slender frame, he could be relegated to a slot role in the NFL, but while his highlight may not impress many people, he is a high floor prospect who should at least be a reliable No.3 out of the slot. Perhaps more given his high polish and pedigree.

Projection: 3rd Round

Day 3 (Rounds 4-7) Wideouts

A smattering of other intriguing late day options. Given their later draft slots, some of these guys lean more towards backup/role player positions while others are boom-bust projects. I’ve clustered them into their player-types and/or potential roles in the NFL.

Slot Receiver Specialists

Future H receivers who range from underneath possession guys to discount space players.

KJ Hill, Ohio State: The least explosive of the three, but the most polished. Hill has great hands but very average athleticism will limit him to an underneath role as a possession slot. At OSU he was like the one junior who shoots the three ball at Kentucky, never a top performer but always an important role player to balance out the better, higher variance athletes. (3rd - 4th Round)

James Proche, SMU: Also with great hands, Proche has had a massively productive college career, racking up nearly 4,000 yards and 39 scores over four years at SMU. Competitive and with decent upside and natural receiver skills, he'll need polish to match the big up in competition, but has some nice potential. (4th Round)

Devin Duvernay, Texas: The most athletic of the three but clearly the least consistent, Duvernay burst onto the scene this year as an explosive slot receiver. And while not nearly the all-around athlete and space player as a Raegor or Hamler, his speed (4.39 forty) and running ability make him strong after the catch. (4th Round)

Big Boys Who Go Get It

X receivers through and through, with an emphasis on 50/50 jump-ball ability, red zone targets, and vertical routes.

Collin Johnson, Texas: Was the top senior receiver on many draft boards entering the season, but a hamstring injury caused him to miss half the year and an ensuing hip flexor injury had him miss the combine. At 6-5.5 and 222 pounds, he uses every inch of his body to box out defenders and win at the catch point. A little stiff-hipped and won't ever be a threat after the catch, but has decent nuance as a route runner and should become a zone beater with the potential for more. (3rd - 4th Round)

Gabriel Davis, UCF: The smallest of the three, Davis made his living off of deep routes, where his long strider speed and tracking ability made him impossible to cover in the AAC. That being said, he's a build-up runner, meaning he isn't going to really burn by people in the pros and he may never become a short-to-intermediate option. The Terrance Williams comps seem reasonable: a deep-ball specialist who flashes the potential for more but should be paired with multiple underneath options. (3rd - 4th Round)

Isaiah Hodgins, Oregon State: Long and slender, Hodgins compensates for a lack of bulk with great hip fluidity and a giant catch radius due to his ability to get full extension on an 80.5" wingspan. He wasn't a big-play threat in college and lacks the athletic traits to become one in the pros, but could find a niche as a red zone target (20 TDs in college) and reliable possession receiver underneath. (4th - 5th Round)

Swiss Army Knives

Positionless/versatile dudes who will require a usage plan and a creative play-caller to develop, but who could prove steals in the right position

Lynn Bowden Jr., Kentucky: After leading Kentucky in receiving in 2018, Bowden stepped in halfway through the 2019 season for their injured signal-caller and went 6-2 as their starting QB while rushing for nearly 1,500 yards and 13 scores. Naturally, this has greatly stunted his growth as a receiver but shows his ability as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He's not a true burner but he's got great quickness, vision, and open-field elusiveness. His well-built frame makes him tough to tackle, and he's dangerous as a runner, receiver, or returner, where he averaged 22.1 yards per punt return and scored twice despite only being kicked to nine times in his college career. As a receiver, he lacks ideal height (5-10.5) or length (74" wingspan), his choppy short-strides may prevent him from ever being a deep threat, and he is hugely unpolished in nearly every facet of the job, with raw routes, inconsistent hands, and a bad penchant for fumbling. He's also run with the wrong crowd in the past and will require character evals via interviews and background checks. Lots of potential, but will require a development and deployment plan to have a chance at maximizing it (3rd - 4th Round)

Antonio Gibson, Memphis: While he played running back at the Senior Bowl he split time between RB and WR during his brief stint in college, totaling an absurd stat line of 77 touches and 14 scores (plus one KR TD) over the past two years. On the ground, he averaged 11.2(!) yards/carry while through the air he netted 19.0 yards/catch. And with his 6-0 228-pound frame and 4.39 forty yard dash, the big-play ability is intriguing, especially as a gadget player and a receiver out of the backfield. But you have to be worried about the fact that he only started nine games in his college career for an AAC squad. If he had better vision and patience wouldn't he have gotten more than the fifth-most carries on his team? Or if he was a more polished and capable receiver wouldn't he have gotten more than the fourth-most catches? Anyone who drafts him likely sees him as Austin Ekeler with a power mushroom, but they should at least be prepared for the chance that he's Cordarrelle Patterson instead. (3rd - 4th Round)

Physical Tools Projects

When tremendous physical ability hasn't shaped into great on-field production. Far from immediate contributors, these are guys who are inherently riskier and will need plenty of time to develop.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan: While hard to believe now, DPJ was the consensus top-rated wideout in this junior class coming out of high school. He's got an NFL body and is a top tier athlete, running a 4.48 at 6-1.5 and 212 pounds and besting all combine participants with a 44.5" vertical and 11'07" broad jump. Clearly he has springs for legs and the explosiveness to get behind defenses, and he’s actually showed plus ball skills to go along with his impressive wingspan (79 1/4”). But his start-stop burst is lacking, and despite starting 26 games in college, he simply never picked up many of the nuances of playing wideout. Too much wasted motion, too much wasted time, and too many quiet games (zero 100-yard games in college). That being said, he is known as an NFL-ready worker and a smart guy (plans to be an orthopedic surgeon after NFL), and someone will take a risk on one of the bigger boom-bust projects in this draft. (4th - 5th Round)

John Hightower, Boise State: Perhaps less of a project and more of a one-trick pony, Hightower has the acceleration, straight-line speed, and smooth tracking skills to develop into an outside vertical threat in the NFL. There are just a number of physicality and frame concerns that question whether or not he can do anything between the hashes. While not as polished as Will Fuller, as explosive as Mike Wallace or John Brown, or as dynamic as Martavis Bryant, the hope is he can be molded into a similar deep ball role. (5th Round)

Joe Reed, Virginia: At 6-0.5 224 pounds, Reed is built more like a running back than a wideout, and it's when the ball is in his hands that he shines. An excellent open-field runner who combines great vision, balance, the ability to break tackles, and a 4.47 forty with a 38" vertical, his open-field running is best on display as a kick returner, where he averaged an FBS-leading 33.2 per return in 2019 and has housed 5(!) kickoff returns in the past three years. But how do you get him the ball in the first place? Because as a route runner and receiver, he is pretty much an unformed lump of clay, running sloppy routes and often catching the ball within five yards of the LOS. But this late in the draft, the special teams impact will be enough for someone to take the risk. (5th Round)

Small School Sleepers

FCS-level or lower. Almost always projects to some extent. Often require an adjustment period before they can contribute on the NFL level.

Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty: A competitive gymnast until his teenage years, when -- I assume -- he grew too big (6-4 223 pounds), Gandy-Golden shows the fluidity, flexibility, and body control of his former sport of choice. He shows a tremendous ability to win at the catch point, and the slippery athleticism to get yardage after the catch even in contested situations. While he put up three straight 1,000+ yard and 10 TD seasons to finish his college career, his average speed and long strides could limit his ability to separate in the pros, and -- while he's improved over the years -- he requires polish in his route running. But the size and ball skills make for a very intriguing potential three-level threat at X receiver. (3rd - 4th Round)

Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island: Smooth, athletic, and playing his best against some of his best competition (152 yards against Va Tech in 2019), Coulter is actually a more advanced route runner than most prospects coming from the FCS level (although still a bit raw). He's got good athleticism and speed and consistent hands on both routine and acrobatic catches. The physical nature of the NFL could be where his transition is the most difficult, as he is a long, lanky type who doesn't play with much strength and often tries for more fadeaway contested grabs rather than attacking the ball at its highest point. But if he can get more aggressive against stronger and faster NFL competition, he has intriguing pre- and post-catch ability. (4th Round)

Are there other draft able wideouts in this class? Absolutely.

Will I be writing about them? Not unless we draft them first.

Next up, I’ll be looking at other offensive prospects, namely linemen and tight ends.

Draftables: WR, Henry Ruggs III, Alabama

Wide Receiver, Henry Ruggs III

School: Alabama
Height: 5’11
Weight: 188 lbs.
Wingspan: 74 1/2

Testing Results

Compared to the average figures of the top 30 wideouts shown in RED

In his three years at Alabama, Ruggs lined up inside and out en route to scoring the third-most receiving touchdowns in school history (24). This despite having fewer than 100 catches on his career. Yes, that’s right, he scored a touchdown every 4.1 catches. With each touchdown catch averaging nearly 30 yards.

Now there’s a lot to unpack there, starting with the less than 100 career catches despite starting 27 games over his past two seasons. As mentioned in the Jeudy writeup, Alabama is absolutely loaded at the wide receiver position, so there were plenty of mouths to feed. Throw in the fact that Ruggs’ deep speed was the most useful skill for stretching the field and opening things up for his teammates, and it makes sense that he was the third most-fed wideout on the team. 

It’s also worth noting that Bama’s offensive play-caller was Steve Sarkisian, whose claim to fame is still a co-offensive coordinator position with Lane Kiffin a dozen years ago on a stacked USC team with an offense that Norm Chow — one of the best offensive minds over multiple decades — had already built. Just because Ruggs has been limited largely to streaks, slants, and deep crossers doesn’t mean that’s all he can run. But it does make his evaluation much more difficult. Especially without access to any All-22 film (I only have it for NFL games). 

So let’s start with what we know. Henry Ruggs III is the undisputed speedster of a very VERY fast class of wideouts, a fact which he’s proven both on and off the field. At the combine, he ran the fastest forty-yard dash (4.27) and the second-highest vertical jump (42”) among all participants and tallied the fourth-longest broad jump among receivers (131”). And while testing numbers can be misleading, he’s backed up his big-play ability on the field, or — you know — in this basketball dunk highlight from HIGH SCHOOL.

Henry Ruggs recorded a 4.27 in the 40 at the NFL combine yesterday. Here he is showing his athleticism in high school. (video via @hudl, JG Images, @__RUGGS) pic.twitter.com/WxK6slUuwA

— Hoopmixtape.com (@Hoopmixtape) February 28, 2020

Henry Ruggs is — as some would say — a three-syllable ATH-UH-LETE. 

Like many speed merchants before him, if Ruggs beats you off the line or gets a free lane on a slant, he’s a threat to score, but he isn’t a one-dimensional threat in the vein of a Ted Ginn Jr. or Darrius Heyward-Bey. While Ruggs’ opportunities have been limited compared to his lofty draft status, he’s shown several traits that imply his best football is likely ahead of him. He’s got quick feet to go with his deep speed, as seen in his slippery outside-in releases off the LOS, his ability to start and stop in a hurry, and the explosive burst and separation that he generates out of his cuts. And he doesn’t just run by guys. He knows how to set up the changeup off the fastball, showing the ability to mix up his tempo, switch gears, and leverage his speed to get defenders off balance before breaking back towards the ball. He’s a good route runner and a solid hands catcher, plucking the ball away from his body and showing the ability to make difficult contested catches down the field. And he plays with a great competitive fire and willingness to get into the mix both in blocking and on special teams despite his size. So while the first round graveyard of speedsters has a long and devastating history (Tavon Austin, John Ross, etc), there’s reason to believe Ruggs could be different.

But taking on a larger role in the pros also means that Ruggs will be asked to develop a more polished and well-rounded skill set. Like many speed merchants, there are times when he’s too fast, rushing through releases and routes and missing open holes in zone coverage. Speed is great, but his route running and field awareness must continue to improve to properly punish teams underneath when they play off coverage.

Then there’s the physical side of things. As a smaller receiver with one of the shorter wingspans in this class and a thinly built frame, there are always going to be questions of durability and consistency when going across the middle. He’s never going to be the most powerful receiver, but he needs to get better at walling off defenders on slants and other in-breaking routes versus tight physical coverage. 

In terms of coverage, college teams were too scared to regularly press him. NFL teams won’t be. So while he’s got quick feet and some wiggle off the line, he’ll need to become a much better technician on his releases — and start using his hands and upper body — to ensure that press coverage can’t shut him down before he gets started. And finally, a speedy threat who slows down tremendously on contact down the field loses much of what makes him dynamic in the first place. He’ll need much improvement at keeping his routes speedy and effective when defenders are draped over him.

Ruggs faces many of the same transition costs as past undersized speedsters, but with better jets, more production, and greater polish than many past busts, it’s reasonable to believe he’ll outperform similar prospects in the pros. Regardless, he is a much greater boom-or-bust prospect than Jeudy, Lamb, and many other wideouts in this class.

Fit with Niners

Ruggs would give the Niners the vertical threat that they so clearly need, but it may not be right away. Initially, I would expect a lot of stuff to scheme him open on slants, end arounds, and deep crossers while siphoning some snaps from Bourne at the X (giving us one size matchup and one speed matchup) and perhaps some time in the slot as well. His role wouldn’t really be filling in for Emmo Sanders. It’d be filling in for Marquise Goodwin.

The long-term goal is that Ruggs would become a consistent vertical threat on the outside who can take the top off of defenses, open things up underneath for Kittle and Deebo, and in general add the sudden, explosive, and off-script scoring power that our offense has struggled to find at times. How prepared is Ruggs to make that kind of impact? And if he becomes that kind of deep threat, will Jimmy G and his oft-criticized long ball be able to take advantage? Only time will tell. 

NFL Comparisons

Floor: Marquise Goodwin, Texas (49ers)

Ruggs has a bit more height and heft to his name than Goodwin, and — although his size will make him a constant durability question — hasn’t had nearly the injury history. He also has shown more consistency catching the ball, more polish out of college as a route runner, and more promise snagging contested balls down the field. 

That being said, an undersized wideout with truly game-breaking speed seems to match what we saw glimpses of from Goodwin in 2017 and 2018, where he racked up 1,357 yards and averaged 17.2 yards per catch. If Ruggs doesn’t develop into something more than that kind of big-play threat, at least Shanahan will know how to use him.

NOTE: in Goodwin’s two years before joining the Niners he totaled two and one catches, respectively, while playing for the Bills. So if he doesn’t fully develop, not everyone can utilize a player like Ruggs. 

Ceiling: Juicier T.Y. Hilton, Florida International (Colts)

While the in-vogue comparison is Tyreek Hill, I think Hilton is a better match. Tyreek has always had a stockier, more running back build (he was a part-time running back in college) and has excelled by being dynamic after the catch, while Hilton’s slim build and deep ball prowess more accurately match Ruggs’ game.

This is far from an insult, as Hilton actually has a higher career yards per catch (15.6 to 14.6) and yards per game (72.9 to 69.7) while securing about the same catches per game (4.67 to 4.76) despite two years with Jacoby Brissett at the helm (his only two years where he didn’t eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in the past seven), and zero years playing in an Andy Reid offense.

And again, this comp is for a faster Hilton, as Ruggs is entering the NFL a little bit bigger (+1.5” height), faster (-.10 forty speed), and more explosive (+6.5” vertical, +12” broad jump) than Hilton. For a fully actualized Ruggs, the ceiling is quite high.

Mock Drafts

Draftables: WR, Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Wide Receiver, Jerry Jeudy

School: Alabama
Height: 6’1
Weight: 193 lbs.
Wingspan: 76

Testing Results

Compared to the average figures of the top 30 wideouts shown in RED

Scouting Report

The alpha dog of Alabama’s truly unfair four-headed receiving corps (all of whom have a chance to be selected in the first round of this and next year’s draft), Jeudy won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wideout as a true sophomore (2018) and was a back-to-back first-team All-American for the Tide (despite the missed time from Tua).

Often what separates the top wideouts from the middle-of-the-pack is that they don’t waste motion, and everything Jeudy does is efficient and clean. An absolute technician, Jeudy is as advanced a route runner as I’ve seen on the college level and is as pro-ready as any wideout in this draft. He’s lightning-quick off the line of scrimmage, showing a wide arsenal of releases and excellent foot speed both in shedding press coverage and making breaks and turns off of his vertical stem. He paces his routes, leverages different coverages, and sets up defensive backs with stems and body lean before shifting gears and breaking in the opposite direction in a blur. In fact, he gets so much separation that it can often make his highlight reels boring, as he’s so wide open that the end result doesn’t look impressive:

A high character guy with a well-known work ethic, he has good field smarts and has shown the ability to get open against man coverage and find the soft spot in zones. And while he’s not a burner, he possesses the immediate upfield turn and the burst to create after the catch. Whether it’s a jab step off the line, an effortless break out of a route, plucking a late-seen ball under duress, or a video game like stop-juke…

#Alabama WR Jerry Jeudy in the open field is poetry in motion. The best dead leg juke in all of football.

(H/T @JReidNFL) pic.twitter.com/hfWJpCLtwI

— Steve Frederick (@_SteveFrederick) July 21, 2019

…all of Jeudy’s game centers around his incredible quickness.

While Jeudy possesses enticing “plug-and-play” ability, there’s much debate as to what his ceiling is in the pros. While incredibly quick, he is not a truly special athlete and played alongside a full stable of NFL talent. He gears down his hips to make breaks in a hurry, but there are times where he looks a bit stiff in his approach. That stiffness is sometimes seen in his hands as well, which are undeniably fast enough to make difficult grabs, but lack the easy full-extension grace of someone like Lamb.

In addition, his average length but below-average frame causes concern for some scouts, as Jeudy lacks the power to break many tackles and has had his issues with focus drops over the middle. Jump balls and contested catches have never really been his forte, but he had eight drops (mostly coming in traffic) in 2019 after only three in 2018. Now is that a sign of things to come? A product of him being asked to become less of a deep threat and more of a high-volume target? Or were the increased drops simply an anomaly? Jeudy is incredibly quick and certainly fast enough, but he’s not a pure blazer. Will that quickness and route running acumen make up for his questionable talents when the ball’s in the air?

Make no mistake, there are PLENTY of draft analysts and prognosticators (and likely scouts) who see both Lamb and Jeudy as top ten talents with sky-high potential. And barring injury, there is practically zero chance that Jerry Jeudy is a bust. He’s too quick and too polished NOT to find a long-time role in the league. The question is what kind of role that ultimately becomes.

Fit with Niners

Jeudy would immediately take over Emmanuel Sanders’ role, playing all over the field but — at least initially — primarily out of the slot. Unlike Ruggs, who we’d scheme looks based on speed, or Lamb, who we’d use mostly on 50/50 down the field balls and YAC yardage opportunities, Jeudy would be expected to run a large route tree from the jump as we develop him into a three-level threat with inside-out ability.

There have been many draft pundits who think Shanahan will fall in love with Jeudy’s route running and quickness, and one vocal one who thinks the opposite. But Shanahan’s interest in Jeudy may ultimately depend on how well he thinks the Bama product’s route-running and speed will translate into becoming a viable deep threat in the NFL.

We already have excellent underneath options in Kittle and Deebo, and Bourne is primarily used on intermediate routes. What we need is someone who can get open deep. Even an older Emmo could do this in spurts (see: the would-be Super Bowl-winning post against double coverage) and that drastically opened up our offense. Even if Jeudy proves to be mostly a slot receiver in the pros, if he can take the top off of the defense and open up space underneath, that could certainly be enough to take our offense to the next level.

NFL Comparisons

Floor: Julian Edelman, Kent State (Patriots)

Edelman is a good player. People who have worn an Antoine Walker jersey in public in the past five years would even argue that he’s a great player. But ultimately, he’s a reliable high-usage slot receiver who fits in a tailor-made scheme that plays to his strengths: using quickness to get open underneath. Even if Jeudy doesn’t develop the physicality, hands in traffic, and vertical ability as he transitions into the NFL, and even if he turns out to be 90% a slot receiver, he should still be at least a good slot receiver who gets open early.

Note: If you’re looking for a comparison between Jeudy’s floor and ceiling, think slender Amari Cooper. Good athlete, great route runner, but doesn’t have the best hands in the world.

Ceiling: Emmo Sanders, SMU (Saints) / Antonio Brown, Central Michigan (currently…)

Both of the above names are two inches shorter and ~10 pounds lighter than Jeudy, but they overcame size limitations due to their quickness, route running savvy, and the fact that no matter the route they were ALWAYS open. While not as fluid as the above names, Jeudy has the traits to develop into a similar three-level threat as Sanders/Brown in their primes. But that means cleaning up the focus drops and improving through contact.

Mock Drafts