Niner Noise
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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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DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 9: Courtland Sutton #16 of the SMU Mustangs breaks free for a touchdown reception against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 9: Courtland Sutton #16 of the SMU Mustangs breaks free for a touchdown reception against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Courtland Sutton, SMU

It is not every day you come across a six-foot-four-inch skill player weighing in at 214 pounds — and that is exactly what SMU’s Courtland Sutton is. A giant at wide receiver, Sutton is a converted defensive back turned playmaker.

In three seasons at wide receiver for SMU, Sutton had 193 receptions for 3,193 yards and 31 touchdowns. He had consecutive seasons of 1,000+ receiving yards and 10 or more touchdowns, capping off a strong college career.

That huge frame is what has scouts the most excited. Very rarely are there cornerbacks who are above six-feet-two-inches, making the height advantage a massive tool, especially in the red zone.

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If the 49ers truly feel the need to go wide receiver in the first round, then I believe this is the player to target. Size is needed, and Sutton has more than enough.

But Sutton also owns a set of wheels; not many players his height can take a screen pass and bounce to the other side of the field as Sutton did in the clip provided above.

Sutton is currently ranked as Matt Miller‘s No. 2 wide receiver overall, and I do not expect the SMU product to make it out of the top 20. At No. 9 or No. 10, San Francisco will have a decision to make on Sutton.

Next: 49ers don’t have to use first-round pick in 2018 NFL Draft on an offensive lineman

From James Washington to Christian Kirk to Courtland Sutton, the 2018 wide receiver class is stacking up to be a solid one.