49ers can target these 5 small-school prospects in 2022 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
49ers small-school prospect No. 1: WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State
Few prospects improved their NFL Draft stock more than Trey Lance’s former teammate at North Dakota State, wide receiver Christian Watson, who blazed at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and then doubled down with equally impressive workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine.
It’s rare to see a 6-foot-5, 208-pound receiver run a 4.36 40-yard time, but that’s precisely what Watson did. His broad and vertical jumps were impressive, too.
There’s a chance Watson slips into the back end of Round 1, but the likeliest of scenarios is him going early in Round 2 instead, which would still be far out of reach for the Niners who aren’t picking until No. 61 overall.
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However, the inevitable fluidity of the draft and unending surprises don’t entirely rule out the chance of Watson slipping to San Francisco.
Granted, a wide receiver at No. 61 might be a reach, and Watson is far from the perfect prospect. He’s raw and will need refinement.
That said, it’d be hard to see the 49ers passing up on Watson if he somehow ended up falling that far on draft day.
Next. 5 must-have prospects for 49ers on Day 2 of NFL Draft. dark