2020 NFL Draft: Ranking top 5 wide receivers by 49ers preference

Top five wide receiver fits board:

No. 5: Jalen Reagor, TCU

Pros:

• You won’t catch Jalen Reagor in a foot race. One of the top playmakers in college due to his blazing speed.
• Can go the distance from anywhere due to his speed and agility, at worst he’ll give you plenty of chunk plays in the Shanahan offense.
• Has versatility about him. Can be used as a burner on the outside, as a slot receiver, as a screen receiver or even on designed plays as a runner on jet sweeps/reverses.

Cons:

• Didn’t run a complicated route tree at TCU.
• Won’t offer much as a blocker or a receiver that can box-out receivers.
• Not especially physical, he won’t break many tackles.

No. 4: Justin Jefferson, LSU 

Pros:

• Justin Jefferson fits well in the 49ers offense as a polished route runner who ran a good route tree with the LSU Tigers.
• Can create space with quick footwork and make catches on quick routes.
• Not lightning fast, but has functional speed to make plays.
• Strong blocker, he’s very tough on the field in general.

Cons:

• He’s not a liability athletically, but he isn’t special here either.
• He’s shown a lack of release at times, especially using his hands.

No. 3: Henry Ruggs, Alabama

Pros: 

• The top speedster in the draft, Henry Ruggs possesses simply insane athletic ability.
• Alabama prepared him well for the pro level, will have no issues running routes.
• You can plan everything around his speed and athleticism, just give him the ball on screens and planned plays and let him do his thing.
• Soft hands and high football IQ means he isn’t just a speed guy and nothing else. He can make the tough catches, too.

Cons:

• He’s surprisingly scrappy, but he isn’t going to be a top blocker in the NFL.
• His route running is not poor by any means, but it’s a big part in the Shanahan offense to be an excellent route runner and he is behind the big two in CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy.

No. 2: CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

Pros:

• Runs an excellently varied route tree thanks to Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma. There are zero concerns here.
• Amazing hands, drops a ball or two but that’s overshadowed by how great his hands are most of the time.
• Doesn’t have the speed of Ruggs but he’s almost as elusive with top-shelf athletic ability and amazing football brains. He’ll make plays for whoever drafts him.
• Has amazing potential to be used in an array of ways in the Shanahan offense.

Cons:

• Good enough blocker, but not great.
• This is nitpicking, but playing in a conference where defense is more an exception than the rule could lead to adjustment issues for the NFL.

No. 1: Jerry Jeudy, Alabama

Pros:

• The best route guy in the draft by far. He can run every route and he can run them so very well.
• His hands may as well be coated in superglue for all the plays he can make.
• He isn’t Ruggs but still has some serious enough speed to be called a deep threat.
• Your average fan doesn’t look at it very much, but his release game is incredible. He can throw opposition off with head movements, quick feet or just by getting leverage on them and blowing by.
• He is ridiculously good in space. It’s almost incredible how he can do it so well.

Cons:

• He’s willing, but he isn’t very strong and won’t be the best blocker on a receiving corps.
• He isn’t the best at contested catches despite his ability.

Any five of these receivers (and more behind them) would be great additions to the Niners rosters. It’s likely that San Francisco will be looking at somebody early on, but the only question is who?

In your opinion, which receiver from here (or elsewhere) should the 49ers be looking at?