1st round wide receiver options for 49ers

The 49ers have two 1st round picks and are likely to take a wide receiver with one of them, likely at 13 or in a trade down scenario. In any case, they’ll likely go grab one. 

It’s very likely 6-8 receivers go round 1 and with picks 13, 31 and all kinds of trade possibilities, they are really in line for any of them. So I will look at them individually and see how well each one fits. 

CeeDee Lamb:

Lamb is the best WR in the class. He is dynamic and gifted. His size and measurables would go great on the 49ers. He’s a dominant force that seems a decent shot to achieve number 1 receiver status. 

I don’t think he will make it to pick 13 though, but if he does, it’s an easy decision to take him. He’d be a force in the offense.

Jerry Jeudy:

Jeudy is the most polished receiver in the class. His route running is already NFL-caliber and he is the best bet to make an immediate NFL impact, even if his ceiling is a bit lower than others. He’s going to be a consistent performer it seems. 

He might be there at 13. He stands a better chance of being there than Lamb at least. If Lamb is taken and Jeudy is there, the pick is obvious.

Henry Ruggs:

Ruggs is an insanely fast player. He knows one gear and it’s “ be faster than anyone else.” He’d immediately be one of the fastest players in the league. The 49ers offense is about speed and matchup nightmares. Ruggs would present both in Shanahan’s offense. The 49ers lack a vertical presence burner and Ruggs would be that. He won’t be great in contested passes though given his size, but he won’t have to if he can separate, which with his speed and how Shanahan designs plays shouldn’t be an issue. It would be like putting Tyreek Hill on the 49ers. 

Ruggs is likely to be there at 13. And while it might not be Shanahan’s top receiver choice, I think he would have some fun designing plays with Ruggs. 

Justin Jefferson:

Jefferson had a huge season at LSU with Burrow. And he is a nice size for what the 49ers like. However, he’s not a great fit. He more profiles as a taller possible slot receiver that is a great possession receiver that makes a ton of medium-length catches. He compares well to Jarvis Landry. 49ers have a decent possession receiver in medium situations already in Trent Taylor. 

Jefferson isn’t much a fit. And he’d be too rich for the 13th pick but will be gone at pick 31. 

Denzel Mims:

Mims is very much compared to Julio Jones. The size, speed and skill set are all similar. He’s a big, fast, vertical presence that is great along the sidelines. No doubt Shanahan loved Julio Jones in Atlanta (who doesn’t). If he wanted a Julio Jones clone, he could go after Mims. 

Mims is not gonna be reached for at 13 but won’t be there at 31 most likely. If 49ers trade down from 13, he could be a possibility in the late-teens, early 20s. 

Tee Higgins:

Higgins is another big bodied receiver that Shanahan might really like. He was great at Clemson and is a good outside presence. He is a bit more raw, but his skills are there. 

Again, he’d have to be a trade down candidate as he’s projected to go around where Mims goes. It’s a toss-up about which one goes first. 

Brandon Aiyuk:

Aiyuk is more so a slot receiver as well, so his fit on the 49ers wouldn’t make a ton of sense. But Shanahan doesn’t always follow conventional wisdom, which is why he’s had success. 

Aiyuk should be there at 31 if the 49ers have no other options. 

Laviska Shenault Jr.

Shenault is a monster of a man as he is one of the bigger-bodied receivers in the class. He can easily win one on one with his size and is great in contested areas, something Shanahan loves. His size, skill and talent is unquestionable. But his injury and subsequent surgery will cause him to fall. He’s likely a top 5 WR in the class otherwise. 

At 31, he could be the value pick and steal of the entire draft. He’s that good. It’s risky with the injury concerns, but if he’s right, he’s going to be good. And he should be healthy after it was just a core muscle injury, which isn’t as hard to return from as other things despite how hard it is is to play with. If they miss out on a top receiver with their first pick, Shenault Jr could pay off big time for them at pick 31. 

Any of these players are possible for the 49ers and some are great fits while others aren’t. This is perhaps the best WR draft class in league history, and the 49ers have a huge need at the position. Don’t expect them to pass on this draft class. They’ll get at least one receiver, maybe even two in this year’s NFL draft.