At some point, the 49ers will take a receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. They have selected at least one player from the position in 17 straight drafts, and that's not about to stop now.
The 49ers own the 13th and 31st pick in the first round of the draft, and many expect them to take a receiver with one of their two selections. But who they choose from in this year's star-studded class of receivers could be a surprise.
Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb, along with Alabama's Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs, are thought to be the top three receivers in the draft. Another name seems to be catching steam, too.
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"LSU's Justin Jefferson, the best slot receiver in this class, could go as high as No. 13 to San Francisco," ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. said Wednesday. "He's rising after running a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine."
NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah then sent Jefferson to the 49ers at No. 13, ahead of Jeudy and Ruggs, in his final mock draft on Wednesday.
"Every receiver coach in the league loves this kid.," Jeremiah said during the NFL Network's "NFL Mock Draft Live." "I think he's got a chance to surprise people and go off the board above some higher profile players."
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Jefferson, 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, starred as a junior for LSU in their championship season. He tallied 111 receptions for 1,540 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. The Tiger took center stage in the Peach Bowl.
Not one. Not two. Not three. No, Jefferson scored four touchdowns against Oklahoma to help lead LSU to the national championship game. Oh yeah, that was all in the first half.
Jefferson also can juke defenders out of their shoes like this.
With his reliable hands and ability to make defenders miss, Jefferson is a quarterback's best friend. He can catch any contested ball and is deadly in the open field.
Kyle Shanahan should be a big fan of Jefferson's versatility, too. Coaches can line him up on the outside or the inside, but Jefferson truly thrived when LSU used him out of the slot.
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Jefferson surprised many when he open eyes with his 40-yard dash time, too. While a lot of evaluators saw him as more of a possession receiver who was able to thrive in LSU's advanced offense full of NFL talent, his speed should be able to translate to the next level.
[RELATED: NBC Sports Bay Area's final mock draft]
General manager John Lynch has said he's open to trading either one of the 49ers' first-round picks, and Jefferson could be a target if San Francisco moves back from 13. Let's say a receiver-needy team like the Denver Broncos or Philadelphia Eagles want to move up to take Jeudy, Ruggs or Lamb. The 49ers then could add more picks and still grab Jefferson later in the first round if they decide to trade down.
The NFL draft is anyone's best guess. Don't be shocked though if Jefferson winds up in San Francisco.