49ers alternate draft picks for John Lynch era

2019 Draft

Round 3, Pick 67

Actual pick: Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor

New pick: Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State

As it has only been one season, it’s slightly unfair to really say that selecting former Baylor wide receiver Jalen Hurd with the 67th overall pick was the wrong way to go.

This is especially true because Hurd’s lack of production was entirely injury related, as the team chose to be careful with the rookie’s back injury.

There’s certainly a lot to look forward to for next season, with the 49ers hopefully not only getting Hurd back in the fold, but also slot receiver Trent Taylor, who has missed the entire season with a foot injury.

But wouldn’t it have been nice to have now-Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin out there with the 49ers this season?

The former Ohio State Buckeye ended his rookie season with 58 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns. And while he still has room to improve — his catch rate of 62.4% could be better — he was among the best offensive rookies in the NFL this season.

McLaurin was taken by Washington nine picks after the 49ers took Hurd, and the Niners would have bypassed a few solid running backs (Chicago’s David Montgomery and Buffalo’s Devin Singletary) in the process.

But adding to the list of weapons for Kyle Shanahan’s offense would have been good in either direction. McLaurin would have been a great addition to the 49ers 2019 roster and beyond without a doubt.