The San Francisco 49ers opted to trade down in the NFL Draft and acquire defensive end Arik Armstead in the first round while getting two more draft picks in later rounds. The pass rusher was necessary following multiple roster changes in the offseason. Now entering the second round, the 49ers appear poised to draft a wide receiver to help build younger depth into the roster.
General manager Trent Baalke has expressed he is fully confident in the receivers the team has currently, but the Sacramento Bee is reporting the 49ers will select a wide receiver or tight end on Friday based off of the pre-draft visits they had in the offseason. San Francisco met with several late-round options heading into the weekend which means the team could draft players like Devin Smith, Jaelen Strong, Sammie Coates or Chris Conley in the next two rounds in order to help build youth into the wide receiver rotation.
The 49ers signed Torrey Smith to the roster while young receivers like Bruce Ellingston are expected to get more playing time. However, the team lost talent this offseason including Michael Crabtree, Brandon Lloy and Stevie Johnson. NFL Insider Albert Breer believes San Francisco needs to begin building for life after Anquan Boldin and drafting someone this weekend will help. Baalke will not commit to the idea.
"Once again, how many guys can play? How many balls are there?" Baalke said, via ESPN.com. "Torrey's going to be on the field. Anquan's going to be on the field. Simpson looks extremely good ... this early in the process and has been a very solid receiver. His last year in Minnesota, (he had) 40-plus catches, 700-plus yards. Did a very nice job. (Bruce) Ellington's a young guy with a lot of talent and Quinton (Patton), in my estimation, is a young player that hasn't gotten an opportunity. Now's his opportunity. Let's see what he can do. Now, is that to say we're not going to make a pick, look for another wide receiver? I'm not saying that at all. But (I) don't feel like we have to be pressured into making a decision like that."
The 49ers are taking steps to help Colin Kaepernick improve in the upcoming year. They added Reggie Bush to the running back rotation which will help keep the ground game versatile and drafting a young wide receiver could be the final piece to the puzzle.
