Golden Nuggets: Steve Smith Sr says Niners ‘shouldn’t reach’ for a receiver at NFL Draft

The 2020 NFL Draft is nine days away and with plenty of speculation surrounding what the San Francisco 49ers should do, a former NFL All-Pro is weighing in.

Steve Smith Sr. was asked by NFL Network colleague Steve Wyche if the the Niners should take a receiver with one their first-round picks (No. 13 & No. 31).

“They have a youth movement that they have incorporated with general manager John Lynch and they understand exactly what they need. With this draft pick, you don’t necessarily want to go shopping. It’s like going grocery shopping right after a workout. If you go shopping hungry, you end up buying things you don’t necessarily need because your stomach is telling you, ‘we want that right now.’ When you look at all the fifth-round draft picks ... that can be someone that is really exciting that they can use ... You don’t always have to use first-round picks on someone, your fifth-round pick can be valuable as well.”

Smith went on to point out the 49ers got George Kittle in the fifth and he is team’s most important piece.

Even with the loss of Emmanuel Sanders, I agree with Smith that Lynch and Kyle Shanahan don’t have to use either of their first-round picks on a pass catcher, We don’t know how the team have Jerry Jeudy, Ceedee Lamb and Henry Ruggs III, who are widely regarded as the top-three receivers in the draft.

The interesting part of round one for the 49ers is the option of trading a pick in order to recoup some mid-round selections, should the Niners go with a player from a different position at No. 13.

Some of the other receivers that could be available at No. 31 include: Michael Pittman, Tee Higgins, Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk and Denzel Mims.

It is considered a deep wide receiver class, so it is possible Lynch and Shanahan have their eyes on a potential diamond in the rough that will be available in the mid-to-late-rounds.

Deebo Samuel is the only receiver on the roster who had a big impact last season. Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd should be back and healthy in 2020, but even with them, the team should draft a pass catcher at some point in the upcoming draft.

The 49ers have other positions of need. With the the Deforest Buckner trade, the Niners are reportedly looking into some help at DT. Couple that with the fact that Joe Staley and Richard Sherman are one-year older, the team could look at options on the offensive line and cornerback.

Do you think the Niners should take a receiver with one of their top-two picks?

Onto some more links:

Arik Armstead calls out Seahawks’ offensive line for holding (NBC Bay Area)

Deion Sanders claims he wasn’t scared covering 49ers legend Jerry Rice (NBC Bay Area)

The 49ers played it safe. Will it pay off? (1080 The Fan)

2020 NFL mock draft (CBS)

Offensive tackle at No. 13 could give 49ers best value (NBC Sports)

Hot 150: Gil Brandt’s top-ranked prospects for 2020 NFL Draft (NFL.com)

Tristen Wirfs could solidify 49ers’ future (NBC Bay Area)