2020 NFL Draft: 7-round 49ers mock going all offense

A few weeks ago, it was a wild thought the 49ers might be in play for some of the top wide receivers this year. It wasn’t too bad of a thought, since this is considered one of the deepest receiver classes in a long time, and even with a dearth of draft picks, it looked like the Niners would have a chance to grab a top option, even at No. 31 overall.

The DeForest Buckner trade altered that entire line of thinking, and it immediately became clear the 49ers could be in play for some of the names considered among the best in that deep class, namely Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb, and Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy.

And while there is some debate over which of the three is the best in the class, that conversation isn’t really relevant here, since the pick may come down to who teams in front of the Niners might want and who Kyle Shanahan prefers among the three.

Jeudy, however, is likely the closest to a finished product among the three, and it’s hard to argue with his production during his sophomore and junior seasons at Alabama. Over the course of those two seasons, Jeudy racked up 145 catches for 2,478 yards and 24 touchdowns in 28 games.

Pro Football Focus also has Jeudy ranked as its top receiver in the class, ahead of Lamb, Colorado’s Laviska Shenault, Ruggs and Clemson’s Tee Higgins.

Most importantly, though, is Jeudy’s skill that might mean Shanahan will fall in love with him: route running and the ability to create separation. NBC Sports’ Chris Simms explains Jeudy’s work here.

To be sure, if Jeudy isn’t available at No. 13, grabbing Lamb or Ruggs or even a top tackle option to take over for Joe Staley in the long term wouldn’t be bad options. But there’s no doubt in my mind Jeudy would have an impact on the 49ers offense fairly quickly.