Why Jaelen Strong Should Be the San Francisco 49ers' Ultimate NFL Draft Target

The San Francisco 49ers have the 15th overall selection in the upcoming draft. The No. 1 need for the 49ers is to find a top quality wide receiver who can make plays down the field.

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While it may be exciting to dream about the 49ers making a deal to move into the upper echelon of the draft to snag Amari Cooper or Kevin White, that is not realistic. In addition, DeVante Parker, the wide receiver out of Louisville, will likely be gone by the time the 49ers pick. 

The 49ers have too many needs to fill and trading away picks would leave holes in other areas. In addition to the lack of proven quality at the wide receiver position, the 49ers also need to invest a high pick on a cornerback, as well as offensive and defensive line help. 

The 49ers, under the management, or perhaps mismanagement, of general manager Trent Baalke are strapped for salary-cap space. They will not have the ability to sign impact-caliber free agents, so the roster must be fortified through the draft. Trading up for Cooper or White would be too costly for San Francisco.

The ideal move for the 49ers would be to select wide receiver Jaelen Strong with the 15th overall pick.

Strong is a big, strong receiver with good—although not elite—speed. At 6'2" and 217 pounds, Strong possesses the size that would be attractive to the 49ers.

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In 2013, as a sophomore in his first year at Arizona State, Strong caught 75 passes for 1,122 yards and seven touchdowns. Last season, his junior year, Strong had 82 receptions for 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Strong has the ability to go up for the ball, fight for it and win. Because of his size and ability to make tough, contested catches, Strong can be a good target for Colin Kaepernick in the red zone, also.

Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com reported that Strong impressed scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. Strong ran his 40-yard dash in 4.44, which was a good time. He also displayed a 42-inch vertical jump. Strong's leaping ability, coupled with his physical strength, will enable him to make tough catches, under duress.

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com provided a breakdown on Strong's skill set.

With Michael Crabtree likely gone via the free-agent market, the 49ers currently have just two proven receivers, Anquan Boldin and Stevie Johnson.

In the case of Johnson, his salary-cap number is slightly greater than $6 million, and the 49ers will likely try to renegotiate that down, or he could be cut in a move to save salary-cap space. Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports that Johnson could be released as early as next week.

If the 49ers do part ways with Johnson, that would leave them with only one receiver, Anquan Boldin, who has a successful track record. 

The 49ers' other two receivers, Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington, have very minimal experience. Both have struggled with injuries and must prove that they can stay healthy and contribute.

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Baalke should have addressed the wide receiver position last year. The quality and quantity of top wide receivers coming out in the draft was outstanding. It was the best crop of receivers entering the NFL in history.

Unfortunately, Baalke did not select a receiver in the first three rounds last year. Now, the problem is more severe with Crabtree likely moving on. Boldin is also in the final year of his contract and will be 35 years of age in October.

In 2015, the level of talent and overall depth of the receivers entering the league is not nearly at strong. This is why the 49ers are faced with such a dire need heading into this draft.

In looking at the receiver talent in the 2014 draft, it is extremely probable that Strong would not even be mentioned as a first-round prospect. Nevertheless, under the current set of circumstances, Strong is the best available option for the 49ers at this point. 

Normally, I would recommend that the 49ers trade down a few spots and select Strong a bit lower.  They would probably get an extra pick in the third or fourth round. However, with Kansas City and Cleveland both needing a wide receiver and having the 18th and 19th selections, respectively, the 49ers need to just get their man.

Baalke's poor drafting and salary-cap management have put the 49ers in a tough predicament, and we won't even get into the coaching fiasco that could prove disastrous.

It remains to be seen, but the 49ers' chances to get back into the playoffs seem to be rather low. Their credibility has also taken a big blow with the firing of Jim Harbaugh and the hiring of Jim Tomsula. That entire situation was a circus.

Barring a spectacular draft, good health and major improvement from Kaepernick, this is a team that is heading in the wrong direction.

Stats courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.