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5 NFL Draft Picks that Could Jumpstart the 49ers Rebuild

By Robert Smith

Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch during a press conference at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 25, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad wide receiver Zay Jones of East Carolina (left) runs the ball past safety Lorenzo Jerome of Saint Francis (PA) (22) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad wide receiver Zay Jones of East Carolina (left) runs the ball past safety Lorenzo Jerome of Saint Francis (PA) (22) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /

Zay Jones, Wide Receiver, East Carolina

Truth be told, this may be wishful thinking to have East Carolina wideout Zay Jones slotted in the third round. The Niners may not be so lucky and would then have to select another wideout here.

But the hope is he is here for the taking.

Jones was not only spectacular at the Senior Bowl, his entire college career has been a meteoric rise. Playing in the shadow of former East Carolina receiver Justin Hardy, Jones had a solid freshman year, gaining over 600 yards and five touchdowns.

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By his junior year, he began to shine, amassing over 1,000 yards on 98 catches. Once his senior year was complete, Jones had set the FBS record for receptions with 399 and was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s best receiver.

He comes from a football background, as his father Robert is a former ECU player himself, and a first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys at linebacker. His father played 10 seasons in the NFL and won three Super Bowls.

If the Niners were to select Jones, they would be hoping Zay could follow in his father’s footsteps and help the team win a Lombardi Trophy as well.