The 49ers’ draft activity began a month ago with the trade of team MVP DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts for the No. 13 overall selection.
Now, the 49ers have a lot more versatility in the draft with a lot fewer areas of need than at any time since general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan took over three years ago.
The 49ers enter the draft with the following scheduled selections:
First round: No. 13
First round: No. 31
Fifth round: No. 156
Fifth round: No. 176
Sixth round: No. 210
Seventh round: No. 217
Seventh round: No. 245
Here are five bold predictions for how the 49ers will approach the draft, scheduled for Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25.
Worth the wait for receivers
This is a great year for wide receivers in the draft. The top four wide receivers generally are thought to be CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs and Justin Jefferson.
But is there a wide enough gap between the receiver the 49ers can get at No. 13, as opposed to the player they could get later in the first round — or even in the second, third or fourth rounds?
Therefore, the 49ers will wait until the third day of the draft, when there will still be plenty of quality receivers available. And while they’re at it, they will take two of them — a bigger-bodied receiver and speed-burner to stretch the field.
By waiting until Day 3 to select a wide receiver, the 49ers can go with Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson with their first selection or one of these players …
