2018 NFL Draft: 5 Big-bodied wide receiver targets for San Francisco 49ers

Marcell Ateman

Size, catch radius and magnificent hands, Oklahoma State’s Marcell Ateman was a jump-ball machine for the Cowboys and has all the tools to have the same impact as a pro.

Dominant on 50-50 balls, Ateman is an extremely good ball tracker and can both high-point and bring in underthrown balls down low. Like Sutton, Ateman has demonstrated a capability to keep both feet in bounds when making tough catches on the sideline, but also excels on boxing out defenders, especially on out routes.

Despite underwhelming speed, Ateman eats up off coverage impressively and consistently ensures that he hits the ball in stride when working back to it, which makes it easier for him to turn upfield and pick up extra yardage after the catch, where Ateman is capable if lacking in explosion.

With no real moves to help him win at the beginning of his route and an inability to gain a step on defenders downfield, separation is the biggest issue for Ateman.

However, one of the key features of Kyle Shanahan’s offense is that it gets receivers open. If the 49ers were to draft Ateman and get him in some open space, then he is good enough after the catch to put them into the red zone, where his 6-4 and 220-pound frame and his excellent hands should allow him to be a force.

Jaleel Scott

It isn’t difficult to fly under the radar at New Mexico State, but Jaleel Scott is a name more people need to know. Scott exploded for 1079 yards and nine touchdowns in his senior year, the 6-6 and 215-pound matchup, showcasing the high-pointing ability, body control and catch radius to not only adjust to a wide variety of throws but to pull off highlight reel catches.

In terms of taking advantage of his size, Scott may be the best receiver in the draft, he uses his hands very well to generation separation off the line and towards the end of his route and is more than capable of gaining inside leverage over defenders.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Conference Championship edition

A hands-catcher who rarely allows passes to hit him in the body, Scott has been able to gain a step on defenders on deep routes and over the middle and, in truth, the holes in his game are few. Scott appears to relish run-blocking and, while he will need to tone down his tendency to push off and does not boast top-end speed or much in the way of elusiveness, the soon-to-be former Aggie may be the most complete player of all the bigger-bodied receivers in the class.