After a tumultuous season, there were plenty of ups and downs for the Kyle Shanahan's San Francisco 49ers.
One of the biggest themes for San Francisco was "availability."
There were players at all sorts of positions who were either injured or were just unable to play. Or for one particular player, couldn't even be bothered to suit up.
And the biggest position group that had difficulty with availability throughout this season was the receivers.
The wide receiver room is an interesting one for Shanahan's Niners. Last offseason, they went ahead and traded away Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders. Then, there came ongoing issues involving Brandon Aiyuk's contract even a year after he signed the extension that also involved tense standoffs. The conflict turned to Aiyuk choosing not to play at all this season. Second-year receiver, Ricky Pearsall was on and off of the injury list when he was meant to break out. And Jauan Jennings was playing throughout the year with multiple injuries — including five broken ribs.
Outside of those main four, it's not looking too overwhelming with the talent that pops out.
Demarcus Robinson is a savvy veteran who didn't start showing flashes until late in the season. Much of Kendrick Bourne's success came with Mac Jones as quarterback. Skyy Moore is a return man or gadget offensive player at most. And everyone else has had issues with being able to get on the field.
The receiver position group has gone from a promising area for the 49ers to now a focal point for improvement.
And Shanahan will need to start looking to the NFL Draft to build it back up.
So, here are three receivers the Niners head coach should be targeting on draft day.
Denzel Boston (Washington)
Denzel Boston is likely going to be a player for whom Shanahan could end up trading a spot just so he could end up with him. And it's not hard to see why.
Boston has some of the best ball skills out of the receivers in this draft. He has the type of catch radius and ability to separate that is difficult to find in many other receivers. He uses his size to his advantage, and he runs some of the smoothest routes out of this draft class. Plus, he's a physical receiver given his play as a run blocker. The Washington standout is also the type of downfield threat that would help in stretching a defense anytime he gets out on the field.
However, although he is a big-body type of receiver, he does need to play more physically against defenders. Oftentimes, he'll find himself getting jammed up at the line or not having the initial burst to start his route. Once he develops more in an offense that allows him to create ways of more separation with his length, he would be a problem.
However, that's if he ends up falling to the 49ers.
Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
Omar Cooper Jr. has many of the qualities Shanahan often looks for with a receiver. He is a player who is selfless and can play physical. Cooper works well once he gets the ball in his hands, and when he gets the ball, he'll turn into a running back and create plenty of yards after the catch. Shanahan's offense is all about creating extra-yardage chances with receivers.
And Cooper is someone who excels when getting the ball in space. Especially on a screen.
According to Pro Football Focus, Cooper averaged 7.2 yards after the catch last season and forced 27 missed tackles. Plus, he's someone who exceled in the slot, as about 84.2 percent of his yards (789 out of 937) came from that area. He's also a crafty route runner who can create separation in short spaces.
The only part of his game that would keep me from comparing him to Deebo is the fact Cooper isn't too much of an athlete. He's not going to accelerate too often like Samuel used to, and the redshirt junior doesn't have the type of catch radius that will often help on contested catches.
But, the one thing that might make Shanahan make a move for Cooper is seeing how well he can block. Cooper has a run-blocking grade of 70.3, which is very promising given the other receivers in this class.
De'Zhaun Stribling (Ole Miss)
De'Zhaun Stribling has plenty of raw talent. He is one of the more interesting draft prospects at receiver. And when you look at the measureables and the tape, you can see why.
Stribling has some of the best hands in this upcoming receiver class. He had only one drop out of 74 targets throughout his entire 2025 campaign, and he knows how to use his leverage and bigger frame to play on contested catches.
The fifth-year senior also knows how to create once he gets the ball in his hands. He's averaging 7.3 yards after the catch and recorded 12 missed tackles last season. Plus, unlike Cooper, Stribling creates a lot of his yards and numbers on the outside.
And as Shanahan's old addage goes, "You better block to get the rock." Stribling is one of the better run blockers from last season. He put up a sensational 78.8 run-blocking grade, according to PFF.
But, Stribling is still very much raw and a player who will need some development. Especially when it comes to playing against man coverage. Creating separation on routes and beating the defensive back off the line is important if he wants to excel in Shanahan's offense.
Shanahan would love to have the Rebel in the receiver room to build him even further, though. However, some will argue the 49ers don't have time for another project player at receiver. Plus, it would be a lot to expect Stribling to automatically develop into a Jennings-type player overnight if the Niners choose to move on from the pending free agent.