
The 49ers’ three biggest areas of need this offseason are at edge rusher, at wide receiver and in the secondary — at both safety and cornerback. While drafting Bosa doesn’t preclude San Francisco from drafting additional pass rushers in this month’s draft, the team’s second pick should be a player in one of the remaining areas of need.
Unless a top cornerback or safety slips into the second round, the Niners would be wise to add one of the numerous talented wide receivers that will likely be available at pick No. 36. San Francisco needs significantly more production from the position in 2019, which isn’t saying much after the group’s dismal performance in 2018:
https://twitter.com/cgawilson/status/1083812383070580736
But which wideouts will be available on the second day of the draft? Wide receivers Hakeem Butler and N’Keal Harry would be interesting additions to the team, but their draft stock continues to rise.
One player who won’t be available is University of Mississippi wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, who had one of the crazier NFL Scouting Combine’s in recent memory. Metcalf will likely be the first receiver off the board thanks to his combine numbers, but the athletic profile that shot him up draft boards is also the opposite of what Shanahan looks for at the position:
Could the #49ers really go wide receiver in the first round of the #NFLDraft? D.K. Metcalf put on a show at the #NFLCombine, but he doesn't quite fit Shanahan's mold at the position... #GoNiners #49wz pic.twitter.com/gqMDRHTq9p
— Chris Wilson (@cgawilson) March 5, 2019
Instead, the 49ers are more likely to wait until the second round to draft the University of Mississippi’s top wide receiver, A.J. Brown, who outproduced his fellow wideout in each of their shared seasons at Ole Miss.
While Metcalf is big, strong and explosive, Brown is quicker than fast, but still has the 4.49 speed needed to make a big play and the hands necessary to be his quarterback’s go-to target.
If Brown is off the board, South Carolina’s undersized wide receiver Deebo Samuel could be another target for San Francisco thanks to his versatility and short-area quickness.