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5 Prospects the 49ers Should Watch at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine

By Jerod Brown

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Charone Peake (19) warms up before playing against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Charone Peake (19) warms up before playing against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Charone Peake-Wide Receiver-Clemson

Whatever they do to train receivers at Clemson, every team needs to begin adopting that strategy. DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant are current NFL receivers that came from Clemson and have found clear homes in the NFL. The next potential Clemson receiver to make it in the NFL? Charone Peake.

Peake isn’t as polished as any of the other Tigers mentioned but he’ll blow up at the Scouting Combine this week. At 6’3’’ and 215 pounds, Peake is the ideal size for wide receivers. So, he’ll be noticed at weigh-ins. He’ll run fast and look clean in workouts.

He participated in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and was noticed all week. Bleacher Report’s Draft Analyst Matt Miller said this about the former Clemson Tiger’s play throughout the week:

"Scout the player, not the helmet. But when that player is a wide receiver from Clemson, you have to take notice. Charone Peake flashed on the field all week, and oftentimes the South team quarterbacks couldn’t adjust to his speed down the field. He’s definitely an explosive player at receiver to watch in the game and at the scouting combine."

The quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl weren’t some of the big-armed guys that will throw at the Scouting Combine, but any receiver that outruns a pass is intriguing. The 49ers may be bringing back embattled quarterback Colin Kaepernick and another burner to pair with his arm is enticing.

Peake will falter, however, when the teams begin to evaluate his ability to make clean catches as a natural receiver. Remember the threshold measurements that teams look for? Well, Peake falls short in a crucial area–the size of his hands.

The 49ers will need to keep a close eye on Peake throughout the week. If he looks fluid and comfortable catching passes, he may lessen or eliminate the concerns about his abilities. The team is in the market for a receiver and, with the potential departure of receiver Anquan Boldin, they might have to turn to the draft to build depth at the position.

Peake is not in the top-tier of receivers. He realistically isn’t in the small group of second-tier wide receiver prospects like Notre Dame’s Will Fuller, Baylor’s Corey Coleman and Rutgers’ Leonte Carroo. But he could be just behind. With an impressive showing at the Scouting Combine, he might begin to hear his name mentioned more often.

Every year there are track stars and physical freaks that light up the various workouts. They simply run faster, jump higher and look stronger than the rest of their position group. Peake could easily be that player for this wide receiver group. If so, he’ll turn more heads than just those of 49ers’ employees.

Next: Rookie QB to Compete