KC Concepcion, Zion Young and who else the 49ers could be eyeing at the NFL combine (paywall)
“At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Concepcion profiles as an NFL slot receiver, and his quickness allowed him to create separation against man-to-man coverage — an area in which the 49ers have been lacking — in a three-season career that began with two years at North Carolina State. Last season, Concepcion had 919 receiving yards, averaged 15.1 yards per catch and had nine touchdown catches. He also averaged 18.2 yards on 25 punt returns, including touchdowns of 80 and 79 yards. A reason he could be available near the end of the first round: hands. Concepcion had seven drops in 2025 and 19 in his 185-catch career.
He’s “got elite, elite speed,” Jeremiah said. “He runs away from everybody. He’s got some route polish to him, as well. The thing with him is just the drops. … You’re going to have to live with some of that. But he’s going to give you the explosive plays to go along with it.”
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan wants his wide receivers to double as capable run blockers, a reason he typically has preferred bigger-bodied pass catchers than Concepcion. That could make Washington’s Denzel Boston (6-4, 210) more appealing after he had 125 catches, 1,715 yards and 20 touchdowns in his final two college seasons.
Boston has sticky hands, with just five drops on 204 career targets. Jeremiah likens him to Broncos Pro Bowl wideout Courtland Sutton (6-4, 216). Draft analysts have differing opinions about Boston’s speed, which could mean his pre-draft 40-yard dash could significantly impact his draft stock. Jeremiah is among those who believe he’ll run well in the 40, around 4.45 seconds.
Does that sound good? Perhaps too good, because Jeremiah thinks Boston’s speed-size combo will take him off the board before the 49ers are on the clock. He has the Steelers selecting him at No. 21 in his latest mock draft.
“He’s going to jump really well,” Jeremiah said. “He can win at the line of scrimmage against press (coverage). He’s a red-zone weapon — he can play above the rim. He can adjust in the middle of the field. He’s a point scorer. … He’d be a fun one to have — if he were to make it that far.”
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Among the edge rushers, Young (6-5, 262) and Clemson’s T.J. Parker (6-3, 260) are logical targets if the 49ers use their first pick on a defensive lineman for the sixth time in their past 10 drafts. The 49ers want their defensive ends to be stout enough to serve as strong run defenders, with Nick Bosa (6-4, 266) possessing their preferred dimensions.”
3 Tight Ends the 49ers Might Sign in Free Agency
“Like I said in the beginning, the 49ers have been wanting that impactful tight end. And while [Isaiah] Likely would still be No. 2, he can be part of the answer the 49ers are looking for at wide receiver.
Free agency is ugly at wide receiver, so why not pivot to a tight end who can create more of a mismatch? It would change the dynamic of the 49ers’ offense, and probably one that they need.”
