The fit with Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III and the 49ers’ offense makes a lot of sense, so it wasn’t a huge surprise when Ruggs revealed that San Francisco was one of the teams he’s had the most contact with.
He joined the Pro Football Talk PM podcast with Mike Florio and said the 49ers were one of three teams keeping in close contact.
“It’s been a couple teams constantly,” Ruggs said. “I’d say probably between Vegas, Denver and San Francisco.”
The Raiders pick at No. 12, the 49ers at No. 13, and Denver at No. 15. Close contact with Ruggs by the 49ers could mean a couple of things.
Maybe it’s legitimate interest and the 49ers are gearing up to select Ruggs 13th overall if he’s available. It’d make sense given his game-changing speed and versatility.
There’s also a chance this is a smoke screen by the 49ers to try and drum up interest in the No. 13 pick. If Ruggs falls to San Francisco, Denver could be a team that calls to try and move up for him. The 49ers’ can drive up the price of the 13th pick by feigning interest in the receiver. Snagging a second-round pick to move back just two spots would be a pretty significant win for the 49ers’ front office.
It’s worth noting that right tackle Mike McGlinchey went No. 9 overall to the 49ers and had no idea the team was even interested in him. Perhaps the calls to Ruggs are an indicator that San Francisco isn’t high enough on the receiver to make him the No. 13 pick in the draft.
It’d be understandable if the adoration of Ruggs is real though. He ran a 4.27 40-yard dash, and posted 86 receptions for 1,487 yards and 18 touchdowns the last two years. The fit is real for the 49ers. The jury is still out on the interest.
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