Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 NFL Draft prospects to watch at wide receiver

By Logan Stanley

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 21: Courtland Sutton #16 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs runs the ball after reception as Chris Murphy #30 of the Cincinnati Bearcats reaches for the tackle at Nippert Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 21: Courtland Sutton #16 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs runs the ball after reception as Chris Murphy #30 of the Cincinnati Bearcats reaches for the tackle at Nippert Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver James Washington #28 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys makes a reception against the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State defeated Baylor 59-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver James Washington #28 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys makes a reception against the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State defeated Baylor 59-16. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

No. 5: James Washington, Oklahoma State

It was quite the prolific season for Oklahoma State’s James Washington, who posted 1,549 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 74 catches while en route to winning the Fred Biletnikoff award, college football’s top honor for wide receivers.

That marked Washington’s three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, making him the school leader in the category. Time and time again, his big-play ability was put on display.

Standing six feet tall and weighing 205 pounds, Washington is by no means scrawny. He possesses dangerous speed, often using it to outrun opponents. But it does not mean Washington is one-dimensional.

Damond Tabolt, of NFL Draft Diamond, wrote this in part of his breakdown of Washington:

"Has great body adjustment and good body control. Very athletic receiver who goes up for the football. Makes acrobatic catches. Can win in 50/50 balls. Plays like a true WR1 and is the teams go to guy."

Washington is currently ranked as Bleacher Report Matt Miller‘s No. 9 wide receiver, and is being projected as a Round 1-3 selection. With the 49ers picking at No. 9 or No. 10 overall, the first round is out of the question for Washington. The second round is a far more likely spot.