The San Francisco 49ers have a short and long-term need as wide receiver and tight end. Will the 49ers address the position in this draft? If so, when?
In the 2024 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers drafted a wide receiver in the first and fourth rounds. In the 2023 draft, they selected a tight end in the third 3rd round, and a wideout with their first of three seventh-round picks. Ironically, the last draft the Niners didn’t select a wide receiver was when they traded up to select a quarterback in the 2021 draft.
After trading Deebo Samuel to D.C. and heading into the draft without knowing when Brandon Aiyuk will return, the current structure of the wide receiver position and history tell us the 49ers aren’t leaving this draft without adding a pass catcher in some capacity.
I wouldn’t blame the 49ers if that pass catcher were in the mold of a tight end. There are plenty of dynamic tight ends in this class who will contribute immediately at the next level. If Kyle Shanahan wants other options outside last year’s rookies, the wide receivers come in all shapes and sizes in this class.
Four receivers are projected to be drafted in the first round. The next run on the position typically happens in the middle of the second round. That’s when we can expect to see bigger bodies such as Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins, TCU’s Jack Bech, and Savion Williams selected.
Somewhere in the middle rounds, we’ll also see YAC merchants like Jalen Royals and Tez Johnson selected, while Jaylin Noel, Isaiah Bond, and Tory Horton are all players who should surprise at the next level.
When should the 49ers address a pass catcher in the 2025 NFL Draft?
My answer: I’m not ignorant enough to believe the 49ers can’t stand to add another pass-catching option based on the current depth chart. As much as Colston Loveland or Mason Taylor would make a difference early on at tight end, it would still be a luxury pick in the top 75. I’d say the fourth round should be the earliest given the need to restore the talent in the trenches.
Bond or Horton in the fourth round would be a great value pick. Names like Tai Felton, Jaylin Lane, and Nick Nash seem like the kind of wideouts the Niners would be interested in on Day 3. As with any draft, there will be options for the 49ers after the first few rounds.
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