Ohio State wideout Devin McCuin is the kind of receiver who can jump off the screen fast. He brings burst, twitch, and real danger after the catch, which is why he’s already looking like a name to keep tucked away for the 2027 NFL Draft - and why he fits so neatly into the San Francisco 49ers conversation.
This isn’t a finished scouting verdict or a push that the 49ers need to draft him. It’s a look at a player who could take off in 2026, with plenty still to be sorted out once the season starts.
McCuin is listed at six-foot, 195 pounds and is a senior who spent his first three years at UTSA before moving to Ohio State. He comes into the Buckeyes after a productive 2025 season with the Roadrunners, finishing with 65 catches for 726 yards and eight touchdowns. Now he’s set up as a complementary target to Jeremiah Smith and a threat for Julian Sayin in the Ohio State offense.
What stands out first is how quickly McCuin gets moving. He’s explosive off the line, can stress a defense vertically right away, and also knows how to ease off and create separation underneath. He has a feel for stemming defenders, and he finds space well against zone coverage.
The ball in his hands is where things get even more interesting. McCuin’s one-cut ability and burst after the catch make him a constant big-play threat. He’s dangerous in the screen game and gives a defense something to account for at every level.
The challenge for him in 2026 is straightforward: prove he can do it against Big 10 competition and show more of the route tree. At UTSA, he could get by without needing a wide menu of routes, but that won’t be enough now. He’ll have to show he can win in more ways.
If he does, his name could come up on day two of the 2027 NFL Draft. That’s the kind of range the 49ers would like, especially with receiver shaping up as a clear need.
Ricky Pearsall has been hit by injuries, while the rest of the room is either aging - Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel - or still unproven - De’Zhaun Stribling and Jacob Cowing. That leaves the position needing attention next offseason.
It’s still early, and nothing is set in stone. But Devin McCuin is the type of player worth tracking closely all season. His explosiveness and run-after-catch ability make him a receiver with real upside, and a potential future fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
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