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5 Prospects Who Impressed the 49ers at the Senior Bowl

By Vincent Berrones

Jan 28, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad wide receiver Zay Jones of East Carolina (7) pulls in a pass against South squad cornerback Arthur Maulet of Memphis during the third quarter at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad wide receiver Zay Jones of East Carolina (7) pulls in a pass against South squad cornerback Arthur Maulet of Memphis during the third quarter at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) makes a second quarter catch against Navy Midshipmen linebacker Justin Norton (5) to break the all time FBS record tying catch for receptions against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Greenville, NC, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Zay Jones (7) makes a second quarter catch against Navy Midshipmen linebacker Justin Norton (5) to break the all time FBS record tying catch for receptions against the Navy Midshipmen at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Wide Receiver Zay Jones, East Carolina

East Carolina’s  Zay Jones was the best player on the field Saturday during the Senior Bowl.

The 6-foot-1 and 197 pound wide receiver caught six passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Despite those numbers, it was two plays that didn’t count that made Jones stand out the most.

On the 4-yard-line, Pitt’s Nathan Peterman delivered a high and off-target pass to Jones coming across the middle of the end zone. Jones showed off his hand strength and toe-tapping ability as he came down with the catch.

The pass was ruled incomplete, but on the instant replay it can be argued that Jones actually made the catch and was able to get his second foot in bounds. Because there are no challenges in the Senior Bowl. the ruling on the field stayed incomplete.

Still, in a game where individual talent is evaluated, that play alone grabbed the attention of the scouts.

Here is the play:

Jones also had another touchdown that would be called back due to a facemask penalty on the offense.

On this play Jones ran a go route and would attack the ball at its highest point, before coming down with it and landing in the end zone:

Jones would eventually score a touchdown late in the game after Peterman hit him on a slant route in the end zone.

With his stellar performance Jones’ draft stock is rising.

The 49ers currently lack playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and could use a receiver like Jones. Paired with Torrey Smith as the outside receivers, who ever is under center for the 49ers next year would have two deep threats.

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The Niners haven’t gotten much production from their wideouts the past few seasons, but adding Jones could help bolster a below average receiving corps.