2020 NFL Draft: 5 wide receivers 49ers may target

Another prospect likely to go on day three of the NFL Draft, perhaps between Rounds 3 and 4, is Notre Dame wide receiver Chase Claypool.

Again, the size-and-speed combination is something to look at here. At 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, he already has the body makeup of Jalen Hurd, but Claypool is much more savvy a route runner and has already demonstrated the ability to create yards after the catch.

As far as the speed goes, he’s not going to be blazing fast. But if he’s able to get around the 4.50 mark at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, it’s possible his stock will rise considerably.

While Claypool might not always win with speed, he’s able to overcome that with the combination of strength and route running. This Draft Network breakdown suggests the correlation with Claypool and some frequent tendencies in Kyle Shanahan’s offense:

"Bigger wide receivers have a tendency to mainly succeed with vertical-based routes (go routes, posts and comebacks). Claypool seems to have a more diverse route tree than normal, winning on crossers, quick slants and even screens. Natural hands catcher who consistently uses those extended long arms to haul passes in."

Crossers and slant routes have been staples in Shanahan’s offense, and Claypool wins there. He also wins with excellent hands and size, too.