The 2026 NFL Combine is almost upon us, and the San Francisco 49ers will be highly invested as they look to bolster the roster for the upcoming season.
The 49ers had an impressive season this year and have a good opportunity to re-establish themselves as a contender with a strong draft and free agency this offseason. Among the highest priorities is at wide receiver, where the 49ers may need to replace two starters with Jauan Jennings hitting free agency.
Currently, the only projected starter on the team
at wide receiver is Ricky Pearsall, who has dealt with his fair share of injury issues over the past two years. Now, wideout could be addressed in free agency, but it also may be smarter to target a younger, more cost-controlled option in the draft.
The 49ers are picking at No. 27, and there could very well be some wide receiver targets there. Let’s look at five receivers whom the team could target in the first round.
Denzel Boston
Boston is one of the more unique receivers projected near the first round, as he stands 6’4, 210 pounds, and has some strong production over the last two years. Boston caught 63 passes for 834 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024 before catching 62 passes for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025 for the Washington Huskies.
Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote about Boston:
“Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations. A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness. Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route.
“He could have issues beating press, but releases can also be schemed. He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws. Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.”
The 49ers will need a bigger-bodied receiver if Jennings leaves, and Boston could be a fit there at the end of the first round.
Makai Lemon
The 49ers would probably have to trade up to nab the USC star, but Lemon is the type of route runner that Kyle Shanahan covets in his offense. He could also be a replacement for Jauan Jennings, but doesn’t necessarily have to be a true slot receiver for San Francisco.
Here’s what Zierlein wrote about Lemon:
“High-skill, high-volume slot receiver with average size but extraordinary ball skills. Lemon has room for refinement, but not much. He’s intelligent, confident and polished with the ability to make plays on all three levels. Tempo-driven route-runner who misdirects man coverage and separates out of turns but is fairly average after the catch.”
“Quicker than fast, featuring early acceleration to open seam throws but flashes late burst when needed. More play strength is needed for NFL press and he needs to avoid rushing through multi-breaking routes. He’s an exceptional ball-tracker with excellent catch timing and few focus drops. He wins more combat catches than he loses. Lemon is a plug-and-play, quarterback-friendly talent with first-round value and Pro Bowl upside.”
The run-blocking effort adds value, too, and he could be that reliable third-down weapon for Purdy with a much higher upside.
Omar Cooper Jr.
A riser this year, Cooper’s got good size at 6’0, 205 pounds, and he could be a candidate to sneak into the back end of the first round. He’s great at the catch point, having 13 touchdowns this year for the Indiana Hoosiers, and has good acceleration that could match well for yards after the catch.
Here’s what Zierlein wrote about him:
“Big, strong target whose two-year rise is bolstered by translatable tape. While he was a full-time slot receiver in 2025, Cooper has played outside, as well. He can stem and drive past press with his strength. He has potent early acceleration to climb past nickelbacks into top position to challenge deep. His routes lack polish and he has average in-and-out quickness at break-points, but he’s rugged once the ball is in his hands.
“His ability to add yards after contact could earn Cooper more carries than we saw from him at Indiana. Fighting for catch space and blocking for the running game are areas where he needs improvement. Cooper is an ascending slot bully with Day 2 value.”
The 49ers have a quality route-runner with Pearsall. Adding a bigger-bodied receiver who plays with strength and is good at the catch point could be a good fit.
KC Concepcion
Concepcion is a lot different than most receivers on the list, and perhaps is the best fit for the 49ers. He’s got great acceleration, separates well, and can work well after the catch at 5’11, 190 pounds. He’s projected around the back end of the first round and could be an ideal target if available at No. 27.
Here’s what Zierlein wrote about him:
“Concepcion offers immediate burst and separation into space. He’s elusive in beating press and getting into breaks with minimum damage from handsy coverage. While he has a one-speed approach, he can snap off routes with alarming suddenness, making him extremely difficult to match at leveraged break points.
“He’s instinctive against zone. He’s also a nightmare for man coverage on choice routes and near the goal line. He’s quicker than fast, with more value on utility throws utilizing run after catch. Concepcion’s ability to quickly uncover should be very appealing to teams with spotty protection and a young quarterback.”
The size for run blocking may be an issue, but his separation skills stand out.
Chris Brazzell Jr.
The 49ers need speed and a vertical threat. Chris Brazzell Jr. provides that at 6’5, 200 pounds. He also works well over the middle of the field and has the production against top defenses.
Here’s what Zierlein wrote about him:
“Long-limbed “Z” receiver with the ability to create downfield for an offense thirsty to make more explosive plays outside. Brazzell’s 2025 tape shows the game slowing down for him, allowing the production to catch up with the traits. He builds to speed with long strides and dominates above the rim. He’s adept at using length and body control to capture air space against cornerbacks.
“He’s a more competent route runner than most field-stretcher types, but he needs to become more physical on contested targets underneath. Brazzell didn’t see many in-your-face press challenges this past season, but he’s likely to get an early taste of it as a pro. Two-high shells and zone-heavy looks can shrink his snap-to-snap impact, but the quick-strike potential is real.”
