Brent Jones, a four-time Pro Bowl tight end and three-time Super Bowl champion with the 49ers, wants to see his former team make a splash next week in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Addressing the offensive or defensive lines or defensive backfield has its purposes. But above everything else, Jones wants to see the 49ers pick up a dynamic threat for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the passing game.
“I think it’s a really deep draft and there’s some great talent at wide receiver,” Jones said on The 49ers Insider Podcast. “I just think now’s the time to take that big-name wide receiver.”
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And Jones has just the player in mind: Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
“I’m starting to hear that Jeudy might be the guy,” Jones said. “And if I had a choice, he would be my guy. I’m not sure he’s going to be there at 13 now because a few more people are starting to rumble about him.”
Over his final two years of college, Jeudy caught 145 passes for 2,478 yards and 24 touchdowns.
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Jeudy, Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb of Oklahoma and Alabama's Henry Ruggs III widely are considered the top three receiver prospects in the draft -- with LSU’s Justin Jefferson not far behind. This is expected to be the deepest class of wide receivers in years. Still, Jones does not necessarily want to see the 49ers wait around.
“What you’re trying to figure out are the top three or four of the top guys similar or does one separate himself?” Jones said.
“If the separation between those guys isn’t that great, then maybe sitting and waiting at 13 and getting whoever’s still there is probably fine. But I wouldn’t mind packaging our 13 and maybe a pick in the future to maybe move up four or five spots to make sure he (Jeudy) is there.”
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The 49ers have selected a wide receiver in 17 consecutive drafts. But toward the end of last season, Deebo Samuel was the only 49ers draft pick who saw significant playing time. In 15 regular-season games, Samuel, a second-round draft pick from South Carolina, caught 57 passes for 802 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 159 yards rushing.
“I think we hit the lottery last year taking Deebo Samuel, and he was a little under the radar,” Jones said. “But I think this year there are some high-profile guys, maybe some more speed guys to stretch the field, guys who would be worthwhile taking. And I’m rooting for that.”
