After sending Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders, the San Francisco 49ers may need some help in replacing the production they are losing at the position. Luckily, the 2025 NFL Draft is a few months away, and the 49ers have draft capital.
Sure, it seemed like Samuel was always hurt, or something was always up with him, but the 49ers are still going to need to replace someone who had over 800 scrimmage yards and five scrimmage touchdowns just a year ago. And, that’s easier said than done. Brand Aiyuk will hopefully be back healthier, so that will replace some of the production, but they will still need another body to go along with the question marks of Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing.
So, it’s safe to say the 49ers could be targeting a wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft. No, where they do that, whether it’s Day 1, 2 or 3, is a different story. So, I’ve compiled three wide receivers towards the middle of the draft, because it’s not the 49ers’ biggest need on their list, that could fit the scheme the 49ers run. And, if they want
Three WRs in the 2025 NFL Draft that the 49ers should draft
Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
At 5-foot-10, 193 pounds, he’s not the biggest guy, certainly not like Samuel was, but his speed and route-running make him a tough matchup. And, he’s a player that is versatile similar to Samuel. In 2024, Noel had 80 catches, 1,194 yards, and eight touchdowns, earning him First-Team All-Big 12 honors and Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year for his return work.
Noel mostly plays slot receiver, using his quickness to get open and make plays after catching the ball over the middle of the field. But, he lined up at the RB position last season a handful of times, and even caught five passes from there.
Noel ran the ball nine times on jet sweeps and other creative ways he was used to get the ball as well. That’s pretty much what the 49ers need. They do not need a big-bodied receiver to throw the ball, and I hope he can come down with a contested catch.
Tez Johnson, Oregon
Another guy who may drop to the 49ers later in the draft because of his 2025 NFL Combine results, but Tez Johnson has it all on the film — well, all that the 49ers need. In his first year with Oregon in 2023, he set a school record with 86 catches for 1,182 yards and 10 touchdowns, finishing second on the team in receiving.
In 2024, this last season, Johnson had 83 catches for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games. At 5’10” and 156 pounds, he thrives as a slot receiver with his speed and ability to make plays after catching the ball. He ran a much slower 40 yard dash at the 2025 NFL Combine than what everyone expected, but his speed on the tape is impressive. His ability to stop on a dime and be a playmaker is what would make him a great fit for the 49ers.
Isaiah Bond, Texas
So you’re probably noticing a trend by now, right? All of these guys are smaller but quicker, and playmakers. No, Deebo was not smaller and these guys are not built like him, but let’s be honest — how many WRs are built like him? But Samuel is a playmaker, and that’s what these guys are, and that’s what San Francisco needs.
Bond is just that, too. His 40 yard dash wasn’t as quick as he said it would be, a staggering two tenths off, actually, but he’s still very fast. He’s just not Xavier Worthy of the Kansas City Chiefs, fast. Bond only finished 2024 with just over 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns, but that’s largely because he was on a stacked Texas Longhorns’ offense.
He, and the other two mentioned, would be amazing fits. Now, it’s just about if the 49ers decide to target one of these guys late on Day 2 or early on Day 3.