© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The 49ers were the only NFL team without a wide receiver who gained at least 500 yards in 2018. Bolstering that position group through the draft has evidently become a major priority.
One round after taking South Carolina receiver Deebo Samuel, the 49ers picked Baylor receiver Jalen Hurd with the No. 67 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The 49ers hosted both Samuel and Hurd for pre-draft visits earlier this month.
If there’s a trend with all of the 49ers’ receiver picks in the past two drafts — featuring Dante Pettis, Samuel, and Hurd — it’s versatility. All of these receivers can line up at every spot in Shanahan’s offense.
For the 49ers fans calling for a big-bodied receiver, here you have it — Hurd is 6-foot-4, 227 pounds.
Hurd was a five-star running back recruit coming out of high school, earning Tennessee’s Mr. Football as a senior. He committed to Tennessee and led the team in rushing his freshman year. When coaches didn’t grant his request to switch positions as a result of concussion concerns one year later, he transferred, then redefined himself with Baylor. He became a receiver-running back hybrid for Baylor in 2018. He won the Pac 12 Newcomer of the Year Award after compiling 69 catches, 946 yards, and four touchdowns in 2018. He added 48 rushes for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
Through the first three rounds, the 49ers have filled arguably their biggest needs. With the No. 2 overall pick, they selected Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa before turning to Samuel and Hurd to bolster the receiving corps.
Now, Shanahan will have to figure out which players to dress among the logjam at receiver.
The #49ers typically dress six receivers, meaning there will be plenty of competition among this group:
Dante Pettis, Marquise Goodwin, Deebo Samuel, Jalen Hurd, Kendrick Bourne, Jordan Matthews, Trent Taylor, and Richie James.
— Brad Almquist (@bradalmquist13) April 27, 2019