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Recapping the 49ers’ Actions in the 2017 NFL Draft

By Logan Stanley

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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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 /

Biggest Sleeper

Back in December, Bleacher Report’s C.J. Moore profiled a certain wide receiver who was on a statistical tear that was going unnoticed. The title of that article? “The Best CFB Player You’ve Never Heard Of.” That wide receiver was Louisiana Tech’s Trent Taylor, who the 49ers selected at No. 177 in Round 5.

While at Louisiana Tech, he was one of the most productive wide receivers in college football. During his last two seasons, Taylor recorded 235 receptions for 3,085 yards and 21 TDs. He only stands 5-feet-8-inches, but clearly has a knack for being a productive football player (via The Niner Wire’s Rob Lowder):

And as I said earlier, I’m going to give Shanahan the benefit of the doubt when it comes to offense. He’s been around the league and knows what kind of players he wants. Clearly this was a player they liked, as they traded a 2018 fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos to acquire Taylor.

The Louisiana Tech product will compete with wide receivers Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson and Jeremy Kerley for the slot position at No. 3.