The San Francisco 49ers finished 2015 ranked 29th in passing yards per game (207) and passing touchdowns (16), 22nd in completion percentage (61.2), 24th in yards per attempt (6.9) and 27th in passer rating (82.6). All of this is to say that quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert were not up to the challenge this past year.
Though many of San Fran's passing struggles can be traced back to poor quarterback play, a lack of quality pass-catchers is also to blame. What does it say about your team when your leading receiver is 35-year-old Anquan Boldin? The veteran is one of the toughest WRs to ever play the game, but his 69 catches for 789 yards and four scores don't hold up to the stat line of Michael Crabtree (85/922/9), who the Oakland Raiders signed to a cheap one-year deal last offseason after the 49ers showed no interest.
San Francisco needs to upgrade at wide receiver, if for nothing else than to help out their quarterback. That is why ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects them to take Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell with the No. 7 overall pick.
"This is a spot where you can see the quarterback position coming into play - or a number of positions given what happened to this roster over the past 12 months - but if the 49ers decide to build around a QB currently on the roster with the hopes of being more competitive in 2016 (something starting a rookie won't help) then Treadwell could really help the offense. He has a ton of experience as a true No. 1 and against top defenses, and brings size, hands, physicality and potential for early returns."
Treadwell returned from a grisly leg injury last year to catch 82 balls for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He stands 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. CBS Sports has compared him to Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant.
"Treadwell shows a Bryant-like skillset with his size and athleticism combination to be a mismatch against cornerbacks on the outside."
Treadwell would allow the 49ers to get younger and better at the position while helping out whoever lines up under center for them. Of all the early draft projections, this one makes the most sense.
