Now that the NFL Scouting Combine has concluded, the San Francisco 49ers have a better idea of which prospects they are interested in selecting during the NFL Draft. Of course, this also means that the draft predictions of media members will continue to surface as well.

According to Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski and Dame Parson, the 49ers will go wide receiver in the first round of April’s NFL Draft. In Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft, they have San Francisco drafting Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. with the 27th overall pick.

Why Omar Cooper Jr. Makes Sense for the San Francisco 49ers

Parson is extremely high on Cooper being a great fit for the Niners. Here is what he had to say specifically about why this draft selection makes sense:

“His build and skill set make him an ideal addition for Shanahan’s scheme and Brock Purdy’s strengths as a starting quarterback. Cooper can win from the slot and the outside. In this scheme, he should become a favorite target of Purdy early in the process.”

While in Bloomington this past season, Cooper was one of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten. His 937 receiving yards were fourth in the conference, and his 13 receiving touchdowns were second. Simply put, the Second-Team All-Big Ten pass-catcher was one of the best and most productive at his position, and he was a clear catalyst for his national champion Hoosiers.

Another Wide Receiver Could Greatly Help the Niners’ Offense

At the start of the new league on March 11th, which is also the start of free agency, the Niners are likely to say goodbye to veteran wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. GM John Lynch has already stated that the former 1,000-yard wide receiver has played his final snap as a member of the team. This is where Cooper could come into play.

Adding a big-time playmaker like Cooper to an offense that includes the likes of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, and the Pro Bowl quarterback in Purdy could be significant. When healthy, this offense is among the best in the league. There is a reason why San Francisco has been in Super Bowl contention ever since head coach Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017.

If San Francisco goes in the direction of drafting a top-level pass-catcher such as Cooper, they could be right back in title contention. Of course, the team also has five more picks within the first four rounds of this year’s draft. 49ers fans can sleep well knowing there will be plenty more talent coming to the Bay Area.

Next season will come down to whether or not injured players, such as Kittle, can get back quickly enough. Furthermore, rookie playmakers, such as a potential draft pick like Cooper, could have a tremendous impact on next season’s results.