Niner Noise
FanSided

5 players who impressed the 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine

By Aaron Tan

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: USC running back Ronald Jones II runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: USC running back Ronald Jones II runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Deontay Burnett #80 of the USC Trojans makes a catch for a touchdown in front of DeShon Elliott #4 of the Texas Longhorns to take a 7-0 lead during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Deontay Burnett #80 of the USC Trojans makes a catch for a touchdown in front of DeShon Elliott #4 of the Texas Longhorns to take a 7-0 lead during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Wide Receiver Deontay Burnett (USC)

Everybody knows USC quarterback Sam Darnold, who is projected to be one of the first quarterbacks, if not the first quarterback, to be taken off of the board in the draft this year.

However, a lot of people don’t know about Darnold’s safety blanket during his time at USC, Deontay Burnett. The 6-foot, 170 pound receiver led the Trojans with 1,114 receiving yards in the 2017 season.

Burnett’s frame may be small, but he is a true playmaker. He knows how to get open because of his ability to run beautiful routes, which remind me of Odell Beckham Jr.’s, who I believe is the best route-runner in the NFL. Burnett also does not lack elusiveness, consistently earning YAC (yards after catch) after snagging balls with his incredibly soft hands.

Burnett met with the 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine, and I can see why Kyle Shanahan wanted to talk to him. He fits the mold of a Shanahan offense like a glove, as The Athletic’s David Lombardi describes here:

Burnett is a slot receiver, which the 49ers already have in Trent Taylor. However, drafting Burnett would allow the team to call more empty five-receiver set plays, allowing both Taylor and Burnett to terrorize defenses.

I believe that Burnett was born to play in a Shanahan offense.