49ers NFL Draft: Day 2 Offensive Weapons for San Francisco

Wide Receivers

If you have had the chance to read my previous article, 49ers Draft: Wide Receivers–Prospecting for Red-Zone Gold, then you have a good understanding of what I believe the 49ers are looking for in the pass-catching area. If you have not, then basically it boils down to this — San Francisco added a lot of speed but not size to its receiving corps this offseason.

With the addition of a legitimate big bodied red-zone threat, the 49ers could help themselves this year in the touchdown department.

As we analyzed extensively in the previously mentioned article, day two doesn’t provide a lot of great value red-zone-threat-type options at the WR position. The one prospect I do like here is USC WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, especially if he somehow finds his way to the third round.

Smith-Schuster is arguably the most aggressive WR in this year’s draft. He has magnetic hands and size, measuring 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, and is regularly compared to former 49ers WR Anquan Boldin.

Having him opposite of recently acquired WR Pierre Garcon on a short field could provide for a very physical red-zone tandem to move the chains and get some points.

When watching his highlights and looking at his numbers, he proves to be a highly productive pass-catcher that can as I like to say “hang and bang”.

Aggressively tracking the ball, catching it, taking hits and hanging on to it. He plays fierce.

Tight Ends

This years’ tight end class in another animal entirely. I have never seen such a deep and talented group of tight ends coming out in a single year.

Alabama TE O.J. Howard headlines the group but is already off the boards for day two.

The four prospects behind him are all very talented and could even be Round 1 options in any other year. The depth of this draft class at many positions has devalued quite a few guys and the tight end class exemplifies this, although a few of these guys could still sneak into the first round.

With the 49ers in serious need of a productive red-zone threat, there are four players that I consider of good to great value in the second and third rounds.

Unfortunately for San Francisco, David Njoku and Evan Engram were picked up by the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, respectively, in Round 1.

South Alabama TE Gerald Everett is a fascinating prospect if, for nothing else, than because of his run-after-the-catch ability. This young man moves like a giant kick returner through traffic with the ball in his hands.

At 6-foot-3 and 239 pounds, Everett leaves a little to be desired with his blocking. Although, in the passing game, he is a certified weapon. He consistently makes contested catches and moves through defenders to get to the catch — a legitimate red-zone threat. Take a look at his highlights.

Ashland TE Adam Shaheen is a bit of a different breed than the other top TEs in the top of this draft. He is huge, standing at 6-foot-6 and 278 pounds. The standout qualities with him are how fast he is for his size and how he makes plays on the ball.

This guy can move and move aggressively. His huge catch radius is not wasted, and at the same time, Shaheen has great body control. He has serious pass-blocking skills but needs to work on run-blocking some.

With 16 touchdowns scored just last year, there is no question Shaheen is a legitimate red-zone threat. He was a man among boys in Division II and appears to have the goods to compete at the pro level.

Just going off of his numbers does not lead me to this conclusion. I have to admit I was completely persuaded by his tape. He is just one of those guys you have to see to understand what he could become.

Projected in Rounds 2-4, he could be an absolute steal if he was to fall to the third round. The footage on him is limited, but below is the best that I’ve found:

Next: 49ers Draft: Wide Receiver -- Prospecting for Red-Zone Gold

Continue to follow Niner Noise for the most in-depth 49er coverage during and after the 2017 NFL Draft.