The San Francisco 49ers are starting to zero in on the prospects they think could be available with the 27th overall pick. They've been doing their homework on wide receivers and offensive linemen throughout the pre-draft process, and John Lynch is making sure they're prepared for all possibilities.
Since most of the edge rushers they'd be interested may not be available when they're on the clock late on Thursday night, the depth of the WR and OT classes are the current frontrunners-- and I would expect one of them to be the pick unless Raheem Morris falls in love with a player in the secondary.
The 49ers reportedly hosted Indiana wideout Omar Cooper Jr. on a 30 visit yesterday, but he's not the only 30 visit of note the Niners have conducted recently. According to Pro Football Talk, the Niners also hosted Utah tackle Caleb Lomu and Alabama Kadyn Proctor across the last few days.
The San Francisco 49ers have conducted 30 visits with 3 first-round prospects in recent days
San Francisco's contending window is closing, so odds are they'll draft someone with the opportunity to immediately contribute. Stars like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Mike Evans aren't getting any younger, so drafting a project like Proctor (if he even makes it to 27) doesn't make any sense.
While offensive tackle is being looked at as a need in order to find a heir apparent for Trent Williams, addressing the offensive line could also help the 49ers in the short-term. Lomu is a player San Francisco would instantly start at guard, and then could take over at left tackle once Williams leaves.
Regardless, someone like Lomu is a Day 1 starter, but the same can't be said for Proctor. Proctor projects best as a left tackle, though if his Evan Neal comparisons hold up, his size could serve him better to play guard, just like with Neal. But this is assuming he gets past the run on OTs in the 20s.
As for Cooper, he's probably the most win-now option of the three. We know Kyle Shanahan misses Deebo Samuel, and the 22-year-old has a similar play style. While he's a solid route runner, he has the the explosiveness and the YAC ability to be used creatively enough to replicate Deebo's impact.
The All-Big Ten wideout would slot right into the power slot role the 49ers love to utilize, and Shanahan should love his ability to pick apart zone coverage. And with his hands, he would instantly be Brock Purdy's second favorite receiver behind Evans, but would eventually be his favorite wideout.
Of all the first-round receivers the 49ers can draft, Cooper is by far the safest. He has all the makings of a long-term WR1 in a Shanahan offense, so amid all of these important visits, it's clear that if he's available at 27, San Francisco better not overcomplicate this decision and continue the WR woes.
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