Sourdough Sam
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- Mar 20, 2019
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We're wrapping up the Prospect Profiles series by taking a look at one of the most enticing position groups heading into the 2020 NFL Draft: Wide receiver.
The 2020 receivers class is expected to be the deepest selection of pass catchers with top-end talent in recent memory. NFL Network's draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah went as far as to give 27 receivers a third-round or higher grade. Of Jeremiah's top 50 prospects, nine are receivers.
While certainly several of the top names may not be available when the 49ers are on the clock with the 31st-overall pick, the talent pool is deep enough for San Francisco to select top-receiver talent in the back end of the first round and later in the draft.
As it stands, all but two of the 49ers pass catchers are expected to return in 2020. Emmanuel Sanders is expected to hit free agency this month after joining the 49ers in a midseason trade with the Denver Broncos in 2019. The 49ers will also have to make a decision on third-year wideout Kendrick Bourne's future, who is set to become a restricted free agent on March 18.
In addition to Deebo Samuel, Richie James Jr. and Marquise Goodwin, who all are contracted in San Francisco through at least the 2020 season, Trent Tayor and Jalen Hurd are expected to make returns in 2020.
Following a standout training camp, Taylor suffered a stress fracture in his foot ahead of the 49ers first preseason game. His 2019 campaign never got off of the ground after undergoing a total of five procedures on his foot due to complications. Taylor aims to be 100 percent by training camp this summer.
Hurd was shelved in 2019 while dealing with a back injury suffered in training camp. General manager John Lynch addressed the media at the Combine last month and noted the 49ers are hopeful Hurd will be cleared for offseason workouts in April.
"We like our group, I think we like the core of our group," Lynch said in Indianapolis. "The draft class is incredibly strong, this is my fourth combine and it's as good as I've ever seen. The depth of it, the top-end players, it's a really good class. You kind of get whatever flavor you like. If you like a smaller quicker guy, those guys are there. If you like the big guys that can move, those guys are there. If you like speed, that's there. If you like separators. And so, I think the whole league is smiling about that."
Pending players' availability next season and potential free agency departures, here's a look at the top 15 receiver prospects and potential targets for the 49ers in next month's draft.