Niner Noise
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2016 NFL Draft: Complete 49ers Mock for All Rounds

By Nicholas McGee

Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) is defended by TCU Horned Frogs offensive tackle Halapoulivaati (74) and offensive tackle Matt Pryor (64) during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (44) is defended by TCU Horned Frogs offensive tackle Halapoulivaati (74) and offensive tackle Matt Pryor (64) during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) tries to pull away from Clemson Tigers safety Jayron Kearse (1) in the second quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) tries to pull away from Clemson Tigers safety Jayron Kearse (1) in the second quarter of the 2015 CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3 Pick 5 (No. 68 Overall)

The Pick: WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma

Still no quarterback, but whoever runs the offense for the 49ers in 2016 is going to need as many playmakers as possible.

And there are few better at the receiver position in this draft than Sterling Shepard.

Shepard is undersized at 5’10” but is an excellent fit for Kelly’s fast-paced attack, demonstrating extremely soft hands and the body control to make defenders miss and turn short throws into big gains.

An athletic receiver who can win on the outside and in the slot, Shepard can adjust his body to make highlight reel catches on the sidelines.

On deep passes Shepard tracks the ball excellently, looking it in his grasp, and wins with his route-running. Indeed, Shepard uses his quick feet to create separation that he is not able to generate with speed, with a stutter-and-go release a staple of his game.

A receiver who plays above his size and isn’t afraid to make catches in traffic when contact is coming, Shepard put up 1288 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns for Oklahoma in 2015 and – if selected by San Francisco – he could make a similar impact in Kelly’s system and provide the Niners with an excellent complement to Torrey Smith.

Next: Round 4