The San Francisco 49ers won’t be looking for a wide receiver early in the NFL draft due to other needs, but they always can get some competition for training camp and possible developmental prospects. One such prospect that had a meeting with the 49ers was Limestone College wide receiver Vyncint Smith.
A small school prospect that most likely will find a team on day three at best, Smith measured in at 6’3 and weighs 195 lbs. At his pro day, he had an impressive 40-yard dash of 4.36 seconds. This past season, he had 49 receptions for 849 yards. He had four games with 100+ yards, and two consecutive games where went for over 180 yards each. He has the speed, but he doesn’t have the route knowledge some pro-teams would be looking for. His ball skills are also considered below average according to his NFL.com scouting report.
Some reports have called him a better athlete than a receiver, which is not a desirable comparison on an NFL prospect. A similar comparison was given to former 49ers cornerback Dontae Johnson, who was called a better athlete than a football player.
The 49ers received great play in the slot from Trent Taylor, but Smith is getting looks. Along with the 49ers, he’s met with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and will meet with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. Wide receiver isn’t a top position in need, but given Smith’s projection, he may come into camp. He has the speed and athleticism, but a team will need to help him uncover the rest of his game.
For those curious in the spelling of his name, Smith answered a question about it recently in a conversation with the Dallas Star-Telegram, chalking it all up to uniqueness:
“My parents wanted to do something unique. My dad’s name started with a ‘V’ (Vernon) and my mom’s name started with a ‘Y’ (Yolanda), so they wanted to incorporate their names into it. My mom always says, ‘They’ll look at my name and know it’s me.’”