Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers 2019 NFL Draft prospect profile: Wide receiver A.J. Brown

By Peter Panacy

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 8: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels points to the sky after scoring a touchdown against the Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 8: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels points to the sky after scoring a touchdown against the Southern Illinois Salukis during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 02: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 02: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Potential Fit with the 49ers

If the Niners are interested in A.J. Brown, so is a good portion of the Bay Area media.

At least according to Matt Barrows:

Speaking of what Barrows referred to as the “Z receiver,” that’s a wideout commonly associated in a West Coast scheme as being the receiver off the line of scrimmage. There are variations to this, of course, which include a Z wideout commonly lined up on the strong side of an offensive formation.

Yet it’s important to note head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense mixes and mismatches his wideouts with motions and various other packages, so receivers don’t always run routes associated with their positions.

More from SF 49ers Draft

Sounds confusing? Good. That’s what Shanahan wants.

Instead of getting hung up on Xs and Os, consider this: Brown would occupy a position the 49ers intended to have for veteran wideout Pierre Garçon, whose 2019 option won’t be picked up after two disappointing years in San Francisco.

Garçon’s best trait was his physicality. Meanwhile, the Niners have their burner in wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and elite route runner in Dante Pettis. That’s your trio.

As far as when San Francisco would target Brown, it certainly wouldn’t be with the team’s first pick at No. 2 overall. A trade down in Round 1 could justify a selection, although the likelier of scenarios is waiting to see if Brown is available in the second round at No. 36 overall.

2019 NFL Draft: Two-round mock amid the scouting combine. dark. Next

But we’ll have to wait for day one of the 2019 NFL Draft, which kicks off on Thursday, April 25, to see if that scenario is possible.