Austin Watkins is maybe the most overlooked prospect at wide receiver from this past NFL draft. Aside from quarterback play, the one area the San Francisco 49ers definitely could use a boost is at the wide receiver spot.
Granted they currently have deep ball threats with Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, but Austin Watkins brings another element at the wide receiver slot that they currently don't possess: more size in the frame. Standing at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, Austin Watkins comes in as the biggest wideout on Kyle Shanahan's roster. He may not possess the same level of speed as Samuel or Aiyuk, but Watkins did register a 4.50 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine. Austin Watkins is a skill-player with a perfect combination of speed and size in the frame. With these attributes, he adds a new element to the San Francisco 49ers offense that they've actually been missing at the wide receiver spot for quite some time now. This is something the 49ers haven't had since the days of Terrell Owens or even more recently Anquan Boldin.
In his senior year at UAB Watkins had 98 receptions for over 1,500 yards, and in Kyle Shanahan's up-tempo offense it's definitely safe to assume those numbers could go way up. Although we do not yet know how well he'll perform in a 49ers uniform, his previous stats and the NFL combine are definitely an indicator that he could be a missing piece to complete their offense. A receiving trio of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Austin Watkins would be a nightmare for opposing defenses and make the 49ers one of the most feared offenses in the NFL.
Now the 49ers do have a plethora of young and highly promising undrafted prospects outside of Austin Watkins as well. The Signings of tight end Josh Pederson and linebackers Elijah Sullivan and Justin Hilliard also fill needs for them as well. They need to re-tool at the linebacker spots to provide some help for Fred Warner who carried a huge load last season while leading the team in tackles. Also providing George Kittle with a steady and reliable second string tight end would also do wonders for their offense. Especially considering the injuries he's had to battle through and the amount of touches he gets. Providing him with some relief is of utter importance to say the least.
Having said all that, it seems that the most likely candidate of their undrafted signings to last with the team beyond this season will end up being Austin Watkins. Given that his specific set of skills can add a new dimension to the 49ers offense and he is a potentially strong fit with their style of play, it seems like this would be the most logical choice for them. Not to mention he would be a complete steal for a team that is only one season removed from its last Super Bowl appearance. If we've learned anything from previous NFL drafts it's that there are plenty of overlooked prospects with the work ethic and ability to shine bright as superstars in this league.
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