SF 49ers mock NFL Draft halfway through 2020 season

Round 7, Pick No. 224 Overall (from Jets): SF 49ers get a gadget weapon with Houston’s Marquez Stevenson

Late in the draft, it’s always wise to take a look at project players and prospects with unique upsides that might be worth developing.

And for Kyle Shanahan, there are few gadget-type players worth exploring more than Houston wide receiver Marquez Stevenson.

San Francisco’s wide receiver corps in 2021 is going to be helmed by Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, which is fine. But the depth behind them is questionable, and Shanahan will be seeking players he can use in various formations and situations.

Stevenson, 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, is that kind of player.

He has excellent return abilities, which is a plus. But like Samuel and Aiyuk, Stevenson can also be used on jet sweeps and end-arounds with ease. There’s a lot of potential in his yards-after-the-catch looks, too.

True, Stevenson does have an injury history, and he’s currently dealing with an ankle setback.

But if he can stay healthy, Stevenson would be a fun piece Shanahan would like to have at his disposal.