49ers NFL Draft 2021: Ranking the final 4 top needs
By Peter Panacy
49ers NFL Draft Need No. 2: Wide Receiver
The 2021 NFL Draft is exceptionally deep at wide receiver, and it would be silly to think Kyle Shanahan will avoid taking advantage of this class’ depth and talent at some point.
Perhaps at multiple points.
The 49ers are set atop their wide receiver depth chart with Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, and it’s going to be exciting watching both play alongside each other for the bulk of 2021 — something that wasn’t necessarily the case because of injury and COVID-19 last year.
In the wake of losing their No. 3 wide receiver, Kendrick Bourne, in free agency to the New England Patriots, though, the Niners still need a tertiary go-to option for whoever is under center.
One might figure this would-be addition will be in Bourne’s ilk, a bigger-bodied pass-catcher who fits the mold as a third-down possession receiver and solid red-zone target. Thankfully, there are plenty of likable options even dipping into day three of the draft, perhaps someone like Michigan’s Nico Collins would fit the bill.
Or, if San Francisco is eyeing another shifty slot-type receiving weapons, Samuel’s former teammate at South Carolina, wide receiver Shi Smith, might be a solid add in Round 6 or 7.
Either way, getting some wide receiver depth would be a must for the 49ers.