The NFL Draft is coming up and wide receiver is expected to be one of the most talent-rich positions in this class and that means a team like the San Francisco 49ers could look to trade up to pick prospects like Mike Evans, Marqise Lee or Brandin Cooks in the first round and that could be even more likely if they miss out on some free agents in Eric Decker Julian Edelman, Sidney Rice and Jason Avant.
The 49ers come into the offseason after making it to the NFC Championship Game for the third straight year and one of their biggest needs heading into free agency and the draft is at wide receiver. The team locked up Anquan Boldin and that was a great first move and while the Niners got Michael Crabtree back to the back end of the season and the playoffs, he still is not yet a year removed from a serious injury and past those two, Jon Baldwin and Mario Manningham did not do much for the team either and that is why one focus will be at wideout.
According to ESPN.com writer Bill Williamson, Mike Evans and Marqise Lee could be potential targets in the draft this season, as the Niners have a nice package of draft picks that they could use to trade up in the first round. Evans is expected to be gone in the top 15 picks, while Lee could go in the next 10 and that would leave the 49ers just out of reach and they are expected to have about 13 picks heading into the draft and that could be the ammo they need to make a deal.
Evans is one of the most highly touted receivers in the draft this season after putting up some amazing numbers at Texas A&M and he is expected to be gone in the first half of the first round. The Niners currently have the 30th overall pick in the draft and Evans could be in line if they want to trade up, as he had 69 receptions for 1394 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Jared Abbrederis could be an option later in the draft and the team could also opt to look on the free agent market for a receiver. Evans had 151 catches, 2,499 yards and 17 touchdowns during his time with the Aggies and he will be a prime target for teams.
Edelman could be an interesting option, as he is on the second tier of receivers behind Hakeem Nicks and Eric Decker and could be cheaper than those two after he had over 100 catches for the Patriots last season. Edelman had over 1,000 yards as well for the first time in his career and he will be a target on the market for teams, including the NY Jets and the Giants. The Kansas City Chiefs could also be in the mix for a receiver and players like Golden Tate, James Jones and Kenny Britt could be options.
