San Francisco 49ers: Quick-take NFL Draft mock after free agency opening
By Peter Panacy
![Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) Commissioner Roger Goodell names a pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the 2016 NFL Draft (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/31d64b57e47f8be43c21f56e9d1ebf6aa2753769a5fb2cace44b2a2554962111.jpg)
New Mexico State. Jaleel Scott. 143. player. 42. . Wide Receiver
The 49ers need a bona fide red-zone weapon after finishing 27th in red-zone touchdown efficiency in 2017.
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What does that translate to? A big-bodied wide receiver capable of being a 50-50 winner over the top.
Currently, the Niners lack one of those players. Wide receiver Pierre Garçon provides the physicality on intermediate reads, while Marquise Goodwin is the deep threat. Wide receiver Trent Taylor is a proven slot weapon on third down.
Now it’s time to add a “go up and get it” weapon.
At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, New Mexico State’s Jaleel Scott is the matchup nightmare defenses don’t like to face in the red zone. His route-running isn’t great, and he doesn’t have top-end speed. But speed isn’t the biggest red-zone factor. Quick cuts and separation matter here.
It helps to be a big target too.