The San Francisco 49ers are clearly aiming to draft a wide receiver at some point early on in the 2026 NFL Draft, but given the depth of the receiver class, they will not be forced to draft one on Day 1. So the 49ers are looking deeper into some WR options that could be available later on in the draft.
According to Ian Rapoport, the 49ers are hosting Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II on a 30 visit week, who should be a legit option for them at pick 58. The only question that persists is if Brazzell will still be on the board, as he's been a hot commodity throughout the pre-draft process.
Rapoport also reported that in addition to the 49ers, he has 30 visits with the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders planned this week and visited with the Panthers, Colts, and Cardinals last week. Brazzell has been a busy man, but that could be because of how divided the league is on him.
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting Chris Brazzell on a 30 visit this week
The 22-year-old caught 62 passes for 1,019 yards and nine touchdowns for the Vols in 2025, a major step forward from his 333-yard campaign in 2024. With how gimmicky the Tennessee offense is, he was largely used as a deep threat, but despite his traits, failed to consistently pop off the screen.
As draft week draws closer, it's interesting to note that Brazzell has been so busy given the First Team All-SEC wideout is one of the more divisive receiver prospects in this draft class, as he boasts the size and speed to be a star, but almost everything else in his profile remains a serious question mark.
It isn't often we get to see a 6-foot-4, 198-pound receiver run a 4.37 second 40-yard dash, but in my eyes, Brazzell tested faster than we saw him play. This isn't a DK Metcalf situation where he's a clear physical freak despite a clear route tree, if anything he's more Quentin Johnston or Xavier Legette.
Pre-Draft Measurement | Chris Brazzell II | DK Metcalf | Xavier Legette |
|---|---|---|---|
Height | 6-foot-4 | 6-foot-3 3/8 | 6-foot-1 |
Weight | 198 pounds | 228 pounds | 221 pounds |
40 time | 4,37 seconds | 4.33 seconds | 4.39 seconds |
10-yard split | 1.52 seconds | 1.45 seconds | 1.54 seconds |
20-yard split | 2,51 seconds | 2,53 seconds | 2.61 seconds |
RAS | N/A | 9.66 | 9.90 |
I can't help but feel like he's Knoxville's latest star WR who fails to translate to the pros, just like Jalin Hyatt and Dont'e Thornton Jr. before him. He doesn't shine as an athlete other than his major catch radius, and lacks the strength to thrive in the NFL, so Brazzell must add more weight to his frame.
The 49ers' receiver room comes with enough red flags now. Who even know what's going on with Brandon Aiyuk at this point, while Ricky Pearsall can't stay healthy. Then you have an elite veteran in Mike Evans, but it's unclear how many elite years he has left in him, especially after a brutal 2025.
San Francisco needs long-term stability at wide receiver, and of the options they could land on Day 2, so despite the speed, Brazzell comes with far more risk than reward.
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