The 49ers have work to do at receiver, and the 2027 NFL Draft could be one place they look if they want to restock the room.
San Francisco once had debatably the best receiver group in the league, with Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel leading the way. After breakups with both players, the need for reinforcements is clear.
Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall are still dynamic options, but both have dealt with injuries recently. With that in mind, the 49ers could be studying the college game closely over the next season.
One name to keep on the radar is Cam Coleman of Texas. Coleman spent time buried in a stagnant Auburn offense, but the move to Texas should open things up for him.
At six-foot-three and 201 pounds, he brings rare athleticism, surprising route-running polish for his size and a knack for winning contested catches by overpowering cornerbacks. Paired with Arch Manning, he could form arguably the top quarterback-receiver duo in the nation and push himself into first-round territory.
Ryan Coleman-Williams of Alabama is another prospect worth tracking. He drew scrutiny in 2025 because of inconsistent hands, and that remains the biggest concern in his profile.
Still, the talent is obvious. He’s a twitchy receiver with excellent speed and sharp short-area quickness, the kind of player who can flip a game in a hurry.
A bounce-back season would not be a surprise, and it could put him right back among the nation’s top receivers.
Nyck Harbor brings a different kind of ceiling. At six-foot-five and 235 pounds, the South Carolina receiver has the kind of size-speed combination that turns heads immediately.
The source material calls him maybe the best athlete on Earth, and the tools back up the buzz: world-class speed and the ability to beat defensive backs at the catch point. He is still very raw, though, and needs major growth as a route runner and with his hands before the NFL.
Even so, he should be a dangerous weapon for South Carolina alongside LaNorris Sellers.
Cooper Barkate may not get the same hype as Malachi Toney, but he should be a major part of Miami’s offense. Barkate spent 2025 at Duke with Darian Mensah and produced 63 catches for 965 yards and six touchdowns.
He does not have Toney’s top-end athletic profile, but he makes up for it with sharp route-running, strong football IQ and a consistent ability to create separation. In his second stint with Mensah, he is expected to be a major contributor.
Iverson Hooks is more of a projection, but the upside is real. The former UAB receiver transferred to Oregon this offseason and could emerge as a star slot option for Dante Moore. The Ducks have a crowded receiver room, so he may not see the same volume he has in recent years, but his speed, tempo usage and refined route running make him an intriguing name to monitor.
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Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the coaches and players have adjusted to operating with less of Shanahan day to day, which is a useful sign for a team trying to keep its preparations steady. There is still plenty of time before the 49ers kick off in Australia, and the expectation remains that Shanahan will be back in place for that season opener, but for now the focus has been on maintaining the normal workflow without its usual centerpiece. [Read more 🡒]