At combine, wide receivers catch attention of 49ers, Raiders

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INDIANAPOLIS -- It's a quarterback league, everybody knows that. That also means that the NFL is a receiver league, because somebody has to catch all those passes - and ideally break a tackle or two afterward.

There is an especially deep class of receivers at this year's NFL combine, and those receivers will fly off the shelf at the draft, with as many as nine being picked in the first two rounds. They were flying on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, as eight receivers turned in a time of 4.43 seconds or better in the 40-yard dash.

Among the interested spectators were 49ers general manager Trent Baalke, who needs a fast receiver to stretch the field and open up things for the rest of the offense. Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie also was transfixed by the precedings, as Oakland's last 1,000-yard receiver was Randy Moss in 2005.

Oakland picks at No. 5, and could have the option of taking the top receiver available, Clemson's Sammy Watkins. He's 6-foot-1, attacks the ball in the air and runs very well - evidenced by his 4.43 time Sunday.

"Watkins is a special player, and I usually don't get too excited about wide receivers in the top 10, but this kid is different," said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock. "He's got great hands. ... What I really, really liked about this kid is, he's got toughness. He'll physically beat press coverage."

The Raiders have so many needs that they might pass on Watkins and get another receiver or two later in the draft. The 49ers pick 30th and could grab a deep threat to team with possession-types Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree.

With Watkins, USC's Marqise Lee, Texas A&M's Mike Evans and Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin probably gone by then, the 49ers could choose from three deep threats who made whooshing sounds Sunday.

Former Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins caught 101 passes for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season. Former Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins caught 101 passes for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season. Photo: Brian Spurlock, Reuters Photo: Brian Spurlock, Reuters Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close At combine, wide receivers catch attention of 49ers, Raiders 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Oregon State's Brandin Cooks ran a 4.33, Colorado's Paul Richardson turned in a 4.40 and LSU's Odell Beckham was clocked at 4.43. Beckham also shined in the gauntlet drill, where eight spaced-out quarterbacks take turns throwing passes at the receiver as he sprints across the field. Many players slow down to help pick up the next pass coming their way, but Beckham caught everything on a dead sprint.

Cooks, who - like Beckham - also returns punts, would love to play in a West Coast-style offense.

"Coming from a pro-style system at Oregon State with Coach (Mike) Riley, I feel like that would be an easy transition to be able to go somewhere like a West Coast offense and fit right in and make an impact right away," Cooks said.

There is a major red flag, however. Not with any of the players just mentioned, but with drafting receivers high in general.

NFL teams have drafted 38 receivers in the first round the past 10 years, but only 12 started for more than three seasons or had more than 4,000 career yards receiving.

What's the deal?

"There's not a whole lot of quality press corners in college football," Mayock said. "So you get easy access off the line of scrimmage in college that you don't necessarily get at the next level."

Then, factor in all the different defensive looks that throw young receivers for a loop.

"If you're able to get off the line of scrimmage, all of a sudden, there's a rotation, something else changes, the free safety is gone and now here comes a linebacker and you're like, 'What's my adjustment on the fly?' " Mayock said. "A lot of wide receivers slow down early in their careers because when you are confused, you play slow."

And then your team is looking for another fast, young receiver.