Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers NFL Draft needs: 2018 wide receiver big board

By Florito Maniego

ANNAPOLIS, MD - NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Courtland Sutton #16 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs makes a catch against the Navy Midshipmen during the second half at Navy-Marines Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD - NOVEMBER 11: Wide receiver Courtland Sutton #16 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs makes a catch against the Navy Midshipmen during the second half at Navy-Marines Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Calvin Ridley #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates a reception for a touchdown with teammates in the first quarter of the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: Calvin Ridley #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates a reception for a touchdown with teammates in the first quarter of the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Calvin Ridley (Alabama)

The 49ers using their first-round draft pick on a wide receiver seems unlikely, but if they do, Alabama’s Calvin Ridley should be their top option.

Ridley is considered to be the best wide receiver heading into the 2018 NFL Draft and NFL.com gave the wideout an overall grade of 7.04. Ridley can dominate cornerbacks when allowed a free release and burns the competition with his remarkable speed and quickness.

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Although he only recorded 967 yards and five touchdowns in 2017, Ridley is an absolute game-changer and a reliable target with his incredible ball skills. Ridley also possesses excellent route-running abilities, which would be perfect under Shanahan’s offense.

Ridley’s best performance was against Mississippi State on Nov. 11, 2017. Ridley garnered 171 yards during the game and showcased his abilities to juke defenders and run after the catch.

Despite having natural hands, Ridley still tends to drop passes especially with defenders around him. Traffic in the NFL is much tougher than in college and Ridley would need to accustom himself with such a challenge as he moves to the next level.

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If San Francisco addresses its biggest needs through free agency, that could lead the team to shift focus on upgrading their wide receiver corps in the draft. In the case that Ridley falls on the 49ers’ hands, don’t be surprised if the front office picks up this potential future NFL star.