The Niners have invested quite a bit at wide receiver. What’s next?
The 2025 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, as the San Francisco 49ers currently have the No. 11 overall pick.
Most of the discourse has been around the 49ers’ first-round pick, and rightfully so, as the team needs instant impact rookies after a quiet offseason.
But, there are several needs that San Francisco could address in this draft, so let’s go through every position and find realistic targets for the 49ers. We started with quarterbacks and running backs. Now, it’s time for the wide receivers.
Day 2
The 49ers took a wide receiver at the end of the first round last year. While Ricky Pearsall was a bit of a surprise name, there was some buzz for San Francisco taking a wideout early, as they prepared for the future departure of one of their top receivers.
This year, at No. 11, it feels that a wide receiver is highly unrealistic. Not only does San Francisco have other needs, but it’s unlikely that a wideout would even be at the top of their draft board that high.
There have been varying reports on the wideouts in this class, and it doesn’t seem like one will go in the Top 10 currently, as there isn’t really a consensus top receiver.
So, we turn our attention to Day 2, where a wide receiver could be a more realistic possibility.
Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins
Starting off at the high end of the realm is Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins, who has received buzz to even potentially sneak into the back end of Round 1.
However, with wideouts falling in this class, there’s a chance he’s there at No. 43, and the 49ers have been connected with him, having a formal meeting with him at the 2025 NFL Combine.
Here’s what our Kyle Posey had to say about Higgins earlier this month:
“The same way that Nico Collins fell to the third round. In a similar vein to A.J. Brown falling to the latter part of the second round. Players who are this big, fast, athletic, and sure-handed are the types that tend to do well as pros.
“Higgins is over 6’4” and 214 pounds and ran a 4.47 40-yard dash, with jumps in the 85th percentile. He’s more of a “Z” than an “X” in my opinion, as Higgins is better when he’s on the move or doesn’t have to see press coverage.
“He moves like a player, 5’10” and 185 pounds. Higgins had 119 targets last season, and only 12 of those were contested. That’s a good indication of a player getting separation. As you’d imagine, his frame and athleticism allow him to flourish in contested situations. Higgins caught eight of those opportunities.
“I was most impressed with Higgins’ initial burst and how easily he made it look against cornerbacks when it came to getting open underneath. Again, changing directions at that size is not easy. Better quarterback play and a concentrated route tree should lead to Higgins as a potential WR1 at the next level.”
With those physical traits and measurables, matched with good separation and movement skills, he seems like a great fit in San Francisco. The only question is if the team would consider taking a receiver that early after using a first-round pick on one in 2024.
TCU WR Savion Williams
Perhaps the most draft buzz between the 49ers and a projected receiver is with TCU’s Savion Williams, who is a bigger-bodied wideout at 6’4, 225 pounds.
Williams ran a sweet 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but is more so a great accelerator and can work after the catch well. That’s why many have compared him to Deebo Samuel, whom the 49ers traded this offseason.
Williams will have to work on his receiver skills as a route-runner and pass-catcher, but there are the gadget possibilities, and head coach Kyle Shanahan loves having creative ways to get the ball to skill position players.
At the worst, Williams could be a special-teams returner, which could be an early role as he develops more as a wide receiver. He may be one of the rawer players in the draft, but there is potential there.
Washington State WR Kyle Williams
49ers fans may scowl at the name, but the player is much different. San Francisco reportedly hosted Williams on a Top-30 visit this week, and he’s in the mix to be a Day 2 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Williams is an intriguing receiver, as he stands only 5’11, 190 pounds, indicating he may be more of a slot guy at the next level. He did possess great straight-line speed (4.4 40-yard dash), but his 1.55 10-yard split indicates he’s more of an acceleration, after-the-catch runner.
The 49ers could use him in space more as a catch-and-run worker, but he may need more development after running a limited route tree in Washington State’s offense. The hands will need to improve, though, at the next level (drop rate of 6.7 percent in 2024).
Day 3
UNLV WR Ricky White
If the 49ers don’t take a receiver early in the draft, UNLV’s Ricky White makes sense as an early Day 3 option. The 49ers have been connected with him during the pre-draft process, having met with him at the combine.
White stands 6’1, 185 pounds, and has been touted for his route running skills. Here’s what NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein had to say about the UNLV product:
“Productive inside/outside receiver with good instincts but below-average play strength,” Zierlein said. “He’s too easily knocked around and needs to play with better care for eluding trouble inside the route. White is smooth in space with an easy stride but won’t light it up with separation speed — though he does have a feel for positioning and adjustments to create late catch space.
“A lack of size and catch strength will become exacerbated on the pro level, so refining his route-running as a slot option is a must. His lack of traits and explosiveness could overshadow the production and punch his ticket as an average NFL backup.”
The 49ers value route-running at the wide receiver position, and White has extra value as a special-teams option, which would be beneficial for coordinator Brant Boyer. He’s a guy they could take a shot at on Day 3.
Tennessee WR Dont’e Thornton
When it comes to traits, not many beat Tennessee’s Dont’e Thornton, who ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at 6’5, 205 pounds.
Thornton led the FBS this season with a whopping 25.4 yards per reception this year, catching 26 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns. He’s a true vertical burner that can take the top off defenses, and Kyle Shanahan can make work with his traits.
Now, it’s unclear what kind of impact Thornton would have early, but the 49ers need depth on the outside with Brandon Aiyuk missing some time, so Thornton could come in as the backup to Ricky Pearsall and free agent signee Demarcus Robinson.
The 49ers like players who can beat man coverage. While needing to develop more of a route tree, Thornton’s speed could be a big help to the team’s receiver corps.