49ers: 5 FCS Prospects to Watch at the NFL Scouting Combine

4 of 6

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. 3: WR Zay Jones

Another record-setting wide receiver, East Carolina University product Zay Jones is coming off one of the most prolific seasons in NCAA history (158/1,746/8). The 158 receptions is a NCAA record for a single season and Jones is first in NCAA FBS history for career receptions (399).

Like Kupp, Jones began to accumulate media attention after his stellar performance at the Senior Bowl. Six receptions for 68 yards and a TD doesn’t sound all that impressive, but Jones had two other touchdowns called back on penalties — one being a spectacular play in which Jones nearly made a catch in the back of the endzone; the other was a deep ball where Jones dominated the defender.

That deep-play ability is needed in San Francisco, and Jones certainly possesses that. From NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein:

"Hands catcher outside the hashes and snatches it away from his frame. Swallows ball into his frame to protect it when working over the middle. Tape shows a willingness to run head-first into traffic and make the tough catch when hit is imminent. Can win all day when it comes to finishing catches at the high point."

Factoring in Jones’ reported driving will to succeed –a moniker of elite athletes– as well as the character concerns (absolutely none), the ECU wideout is someone to watch for at this year’s combine.

Currently ranked as the 13th overall wide receiver at CBS Sports, Jones is a projected third-round draft pick.