2017 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers Picks, Grades and Analysis

Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view before the start of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view before the start of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Trent Taylor (5) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Trent Taylor (5) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5, Pick No. 34

Player: [WR] Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech

Height/Weight: 5’8″ and 181 pounds

Collegiate Statistics

The 49ers added another pass-catcher to their offense, adding slot guy Trent Taylor from Louisiana Tech.

San Francisco used the pick it acquired from the Broncos earlier in the day and Taylor’s arrival gives them another intriguing option in the slot and somebody who can return kicks.

Strengths

Praising Taylor, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said of the receiver: “[Has] above-average instincts in space. Will leak a slant up the seam if he sees safety has vacated. Makes slight alterations to routes in order to work through traffic and get to his break-point.”

Zierlein also hailed Taylor for being a natural ball catcher and having toughness to work over the middle, the explosion to turn upfield after the catch and the wiggle to shake tacklers.

Weaknesses

The obvious weakness is Taylor’s size, he also has short arms that limit his catch radius.

Zierlein noted that Taylor could serve to improve the pace of his routes and do a better job of protecting the ball after the catch.

Taylor has seven career fumbles and a low touchdown rate with only 21 scores on his last 308 targets.

Why he fits
The 49ers already have a number of receivers who can play in the slot — Marquise Goodwin, Bruce Ellington, Aldrick Robinson.

But, after how the 49ers offense performed last season, there is no such thing as too many pass-catchers.

And, with his ability to return kicks, Taylor has a decent shot to stick on the roster.

Grade: C