Jerry Rice believes the 49ers should draft SMU WR Courtland Sutton

Former NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice is a big fan of receiver Courtland Sutton out of Southern Methodist University. He's such a big fan of the SMU product that he believes his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, should select him in the upcoming draft.

Sutton redshirted for the Mustangs in 2014 after playing just two games. In 2015, he had team highs in receptions (49), receiving yards (862), and touchdowns (9). The next year, Sutton registered a career-high 76 catches for 1,246 yards and added 10 touchdowns. Last season, he recorded 68 catches for 1,085 yards with 12 trips into the end zone while helping SMU finish the season with a top-10 offense.

There have been no reports of Sutton visiting with the 49ers or the team expressing interest in the receiver. He grew up a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and SMU is located in metropolitan Dallas.

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At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-3 and 218-pound Sutton had a 40-time of 4.54 seconds, a vertical jump of 35.5 inches, a broad jump of 124 inches, completed the three-cone drill in 6.57 seconds, had 18 reps in the bench press, a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.11 seconds, and a 60-yard shuttle time of 116 seconds. Other measurables for Sutton include an arm length of 32 3/8 inches and hands that measure 9 3/4 inches.

While NFL.com projects Sutton to be a second-round draft pick, there is a chance he could sneak into the first round.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Sutton to Muhsin Muhammad, wrote the following about Sutton within his scouting report:

"Sutton is a possession receiver who has the size and toughness to handle a heavier target load if necessary, but he will need to improve as a route runner because his play speed and separation is nothing special. Sutton's ability to win in contested catch situations could get him early playing time as a second or third receiver, but he may not have the explosiveness to ever become a top-flight WR1."

Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst wrote the following the following about Sutton within his scouting report:

"Sutton has shown consistent progress on the field the past two seasons and is the go-to receiver opponents struggle to stop. His lack of quickness and speed is a concern, but he's a tall, nice-sized receiver who plays big football and is the very definition of a possession receiver. Sutton is not the fastest athlete but is a polished receiver who does the little things well and should produce as a rookie at the next level."

Measurables

Height: 6-3
Weight: 218 lbs.
Arm length: 32 3/8 inches
Hand length: 9 3/4 inches

NFL Scouting Combine

40-time: 4.54 seconds
Vertical: 35.5 inches
Broad jump: 124 inches
3-cone drill: 6.57 seconds
Bench press: 18 reps
20-yard shuttle: 4.11 seconds
60-shuttle drill: 116 seconds

College Statistics

H/T to Patrick Tulini for the find.