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49ers urged to draft WR with A.J. Brown comparison that would be 'fun' fit in Round 2
TL;DR
The San Francisco 49ers are encouraged to draft wide receiver Chris Bell in the second round, who has drawn comparisons to A.J. Brown. This move is seen as a way to address their need for a receiver after trading down in the first round.
Key points
- 49ers traded down multiple times in the first round
- Did not make any selections on night one
- Need for a wide receiver remains
- Chris Bell compared to A.J. Brown
- ESPN's Ben Solak recommends drafting Bell
San Francisco 49ersChris BellA.J. Brown
49ers urged to draft WR with A.J. Brown comparison that would be 'fun' fit in Round 2 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Francisco 49ers had one of the more interesting first rounds in the entire 20226 NFL Draft, as they traded down multiple times to move out of the first round.
With the 49ers picking up some extra picks down the board, but not making any selections on night one, all of their needs are still on the board, including at wide receiver.
ESPN's Ben Solak is urging the 49ers to resolve that need in the second round with a "fun" draft pick of someone who has drawn A.J. Brown comparisons in Louisville WR Chris Bell.
49ers urged to draft WR with A.J. Brown comparison
"WR Chris Bell to the 49ers. Where it could happen: No. 58," Solak writes. "...Bell would be such a fun fit. If you squint, you see A.J. Brown: 6-foot-2, 222 pounds and absolutely ripped with a wicked first step and even more impressive long speed when the gates open."
The 49ers might not need WR help for the 2026 NFL season, with Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and Ricky Pearsall all on the roster.
But, with Kirk's deal being for just one year, and Evans having some uncertainty beyond 2026, the 49ers could use another receiver as depth and insurance at worst.
More:
Q&A
Why are the 49ers considering Chris Bell in the draft?
The 49ers are considering Chris Bell due to his potential as a wide receiver and comparisons to A.J. Brown, which suggest he could be a valuable addition.
What did the 49ers do in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
In the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the 49ers traded down multiple times and did not make any selections.
What are the 49ers' needs heading into the second round of the draft?
The 49ers have several needs heading into the second round, including a wide receiver, which they aim to address with their upcoming pick.
