49ers 2020 NFL Draft needs: 3 perfect fits in Round 7
By Peter Panacy
player. 944. . Quarterback/Wide Receiver. Midshipmen . Malcolm Perry. 3
This is an out-of-the-box idea if there ever was one for the 49ers.
Anyone who watched the 2019 Army-Navy game, in which the Midshipmen manhandled the Black Knights 31-7 should recall how Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry almost single-handedly beat Army over the course of four quarters, rushing for an astounding 304 yards on 29 attempts with two touchdowns.
Simply put, Perry was electrifying. And while his collegiate numbers don’t at all reflect him being a true passer, which explains why he is being viewed as a wide receiver in this year’s NFL Draft, there are plenty of traits worthy of development aside from his natural leadership.
From a point of pure athleticism, Perry is a gadget-type weapon. He can handle option packages, serve as an emergency quarterback and has some pass-catching experience working out of the slot, too.
The Niners need receivers. And while Perry shouldn’t be viewed as a fix-all for this need, the thought of him being used in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense as a unique mismatch has its merits.
Plus, entertain this: San Francisco faces two highly mobile quarterbacks each year in the Arizona Cardinals’ Kyler Murray and Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson.
If for nothing more, putting a player on the scout team with a similar rushing skill set under center, like Perry, would go a long way in preparing the Niners defense for those two yearly tough challenges.