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2019 NFL Draft: Worst pick for each NFC West team

By Michael Johnson

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 17: Andy Isabella #5 of the Massachusetts Minutemen carries the ball during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs on November 17, 2018 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 17: Andy Isabella #5 of the Massachusetts Minutemen carries the ball during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs on November 17, 2018 at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 10: Wide receiver Jalen Hurd #5 of the Baylor Bears is tackled by defensive back D’Andre Payne #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones as he rushed for yards in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 28-14 over the Baylor Bears. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 10: Wide receiver Jalen Hurd #5 of the Baylor Bears is tackled by defensive back D’Andre Payne #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones as he rushed for yards in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 28-14 over the Baylor Bears. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers: Jalen Hurd, WR (No. 67 overall)

49ers general manager John Lynch had a plan in the 2019 NFL Draft — get Jimmy Garoppolo weapons. This draft had a lot of solid-to-great talent at wide receiver. Two of my favorite players at the position, Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd went to the 49ers. On paper, with the emerging elite tight end George Kittle, the Niners have a great young core of pass catchers.

The problem is both Samuel and Hurd project as similar players. The former was taken a round higher and fits ideally in the slot. Hurd was taken in the third and projects as a big slot. Hurd has tools to contribute right away as a gadget player like Tyreek Hill was for the Chiefs in his first two seasons.

However, Hurd is a raw prospect who’ll need time to develop, having switched from running back to wide receiver as he transferred to Baylor. With so many holes on their team, that third-round pick would have been better spent on another position, specifically along the defensive side of the ball. The cornerback position is crying for attention too. They needed a guy with length who can play press coverage.

Instead of Hurd, the 49ers could have taken Justin Layne, the 6-2 corner from Michigan State. Julian Love from Notre Dame has the versatility to play man or zone and presents another missed opportunity for San Francisco as they took Hurd.

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