The 49ers finally found a secondary playmaker to put alongside George Kittle when they took Deebo Samuel No. 36 overall in the 2019 draft. Now ESPN’s Todd McShay has them adding another Samuel-like playmaker in his 2020 NFL mock draft – Colorado wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr.
While San Francisco could trade back to accumulate more picks since they don’t pick again until Round 5, but in the event that they don’t find a trade partner, Shenault would be an intriguing selection.
McShay wrote about how Shenault would fit in the 49ers’ offense:
A good start is adding the draft’s ultimate offensive Swiss Army knife. Coach Kyle Shanahan schemed up motion on nearly 70% of plays during the regular season, the highest rate in the NFL. As he did with rookie Deebo Samuel, he can line up Shenault anywhere, get him moving and get creative.
He’s a touch bigger than Samuel at 6-2, 220 pounds, but he’s the same type of versatile playmaker with monster after-the-catch skills. His ability to run after making a reception is the first thing that stands out when watching him. Colorado took advantage of his ability with the ball in his hands by using him as a pass catcher and in the run game. Shenault racked up 40 carries and seven rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons.
Shenault was exceptionally productive as a pass catcher as a sophomore in 2018. He played in just nine games, but racked up 86 catches for 1,011 yards and six touchdowns. That year he also had 17 carries, 115 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
He followed that up with a strong, albeit less-productive, junior campaign. He caught 56 balls for 764 and four touchdowns. Shenault also had 23 carries for 161 yards and two scores.
It’s hard to imagine the 49ers picking in the first round considering their lack of draft capital in the first two days. On the other hand, a top-end receiver who can give Kyle Shanahan another playmaker to work with would make sense if San Francisco did have to pick in that spot, especially if Emmanuel Sanders doesn’t re-sign in the offseason. One Deebo Samuel running around is a nightmare for defenses. Two of them might make the 49ers’ offense unstoppable.