The 2017 NFL Combine gets started in just over a week, and we are officially into the most prominent time of the year Mike Mayock. The NFL Media Draft analyst released his first round of position rankings last week. You can view them all, but I thought we would pull out some of the more pertinent positions.
The San Francisco 49ers are going to need to invest in the wide receiver position, after years of neglect. Trent Baalke signed Torrey Smith to a long-term deal two years ago, but his drafting at the wide receiver position has focused on day three picks. Eric Rogers looked like a potential sleeper out of the CFL, but a torn ACL kept him sidelined last year. Jeremy Kerley emerged as a strong option in a bad offense, but if Kyle Shanahan is going to turn this into a better offense, someone like Kerley is best suited as the third option.
With that all in mind, here is a look at Mayock’s top five wide receivers.
1. Corey Davis, Western Michigan
2. Mike Williams, Clemson
3. John Ross, Washington
4. Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
5. Zay Jones, East Carolina
We have seen some mock drafts suggesting Williams to the 49ers, but Davis seems to be gaining steam as the Combine approaches. Would any of these receivers make sense as high as No. 2? The 49ers could figure out a way to move down, but with the second pick of the second round, an impact receiver could be found to kick off day two. Cooper Kupp is a player who had a big Senior Bowl, and could build on that momentum at the NFL Combine. A strong performance could make him an interesting day two pick.