San Francisco 49ers: Ranking positional needs for 2019 NFL Draft

3. Wide Receiver

Injuries have prevented two of the 49ers most talented receivers, Marquise Goodwin and rookie Dante Pettis, from seeing the field consistently so far this season. That has limited San Francisco’s ability to stretch the field as others have struggled to separate in their absence, but it has also become abundantly clear that the 49ers lack a difference-maker at the Z receiver position.

Pierre Garcon is the starter at that spot but as the 32-year old has again battled injuries he has found it difficult to serve as anything more than a possession receiver. Kendrick Bourne is Garcon’s backup and has flashed potential with injuries pressing him into increased game time, but the 49ers would be much better off finding a physically imposing game-changer akin to what Kyle Shanahan had in Atlanta in Julio Jones.

They are not easy to find but Garcon appears past his best and, with the 49ers holding an option on the final three years of his contract, the smart move would be to left him walk and make another big move for a receiver as they did in the second round with Pettis this year.

Names to know:

Ole Miss’ D.K. Metcalf has at times been Julio-esque with his route-running ability and boasts the size to provide a mismatch on the outside, as does Stanford’s J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, who has been dominant in contested-catch situations for the Cardinal this season. Arizona State wideout N’Keal Harry‘s downfield threat and jump ball ability would also see him fit the bill while N.C. State’s Kelvin Harmon is another who has generated early buzz and comes in at No. 15 on Joe Marino’s latest The Draft Network Big Board.