Niner Noise
FanSided

5 players the 49ers should have targeted in the 2019 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 08: Kelvin Harmon #3 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack makes a catch against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 08, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 08: Kelvin Harmon #3 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack makes a catch against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 08, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

It certainly was a bit odd to see NC State wide receiver Kelvin Harmon fall all the way into Round 6 of the NFL Draft, where he was eventually selected No. 206 by the Washington Redskins.

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Harmon, 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds, had a slow 4.60 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his 7.15 three-cone drill time likely dropped his stock value quite a bit. Earlier during the lead up to the draft itself, it wasn’t uncommon to see Harmon going in the second round of mocks and big boards.

Perhaps the lack of mobility and agility deterred Shanahan from making the push. That said, Harmon is much more polished a wide receiver than Jalen Hurd, who was selected in Round 3.

And Harmon also offers that tough, reliable skill set, which can be invaluable in the red zone.

Of note, San Francisco’s red-zone offense finished dead last in touchdown efficiency a year ago.

True, Shanahan and the 49ers couldn’t have known Harmon would fall into Round 6. But if they passed on Hurd, hoping Harmon would continue to fall, the NC State prospect would have been a wise pickup on day three, potentially solving a lot of problems San Francisco will need to address.