San Francisco 49ers: 3 way-too-early needs in 2022 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers still need wide receiver depth
It was something of a shock San Francisco didn’t select a wide receiver in the 2021 draft despite it being a need then and this year’s class being rife with pass-catching talent.
In breaking an 18-year streak of selecting a wide receiver, the 49ers are hoping they already have a solid No. 3 option on their current roster behind the two presumed starters, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
Or, at the very least, they’re able to bring someone aboard who can help out.
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Perhaps a depth receiver like Jauan Jennings or Jalen Hurd makes an impact in 2021. But it’s just as likely neither receiver winds up assuming a quality third-tier role behind Samuel and Aiyuk. And with Samuel entering a contract year in 2022 and his future beyond that unknown, it would be wise for the Niners to potentially stockpile one or two draft options a little less than a year from now.
The 2022 draft class isn’t quite as deep as the last two years, but San Francisco doesn’t currently need a high-end impact pass-catcher right out of the gate.
Instead, someone who could provide those two to three key catches per game would check off a key box for the 49ers offense next season.