Round 2, Pick 12: 49ers trade up to select Washington WR Dante Pettis

With the 12th pick (No. 44 overall) in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Washington WR Dante Pettis. The 49ers traded up with the Washington Redskins from the 59th-overall selection to make this pick.

Trade Details
SF gets: Picks 44 (used on Pettis) and 142
WAS gets: Picks 59 and 74

In four years with the Huskies, Pettis registered 163 receptions for 2,256 yards and 24 touchdowns. Since his junior year in 2016, he caught 116 passes for 1,583 yards with 22 touchdowns.

As a returner on special teams, Pettis returned an FBS-record nine punts for touchdowns over his collegiate career while averaging 14.2 yards per return. Four of the nine touchdowns came during his senior year. He has 1,274 return yards in 90 attempts during his time at Washington.

The 49ers have not returned a punt for a score in their last 111 games, which is the third-longest active streak in the NFL, per ESPN Stats.

Pettis visited with the 49ers on April 9 as part of the team's pre-draft evaluation process.

NFL.com projected Pettis to be a third- or fourth-round draft pick. He did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine due to an ankle injury.

"I could [do the workout today]," Pettis said at the combine, "but I know that I could get a better time by doing all of those drills later."

The injury ended up preventing Pettis from working out for attendees at Washington's pro day as well.

Steve Muench of ESPN offered the following post-draft analysis on Pettis:

"Marquise Goodwin and Trent Taylor flashed last year, but Pierre Garçon will be 32 and he missed the final eight games of the 2017 season with a neck injury. Pettis gives Jimmy Garoppolo a vertical threat with the speed to take the top off the coverage. At 6-foot he also gives the 49ers some needed height at receiver. -- "

ESPN's pre-draft analysis of Pettis:

"Pettis is fast enough to stretch the field and grades out as a sub-package slot receiver who contributes early as a punt returner and potentially develops into an effective No. 2 if he can fill out his frame and get stronger."

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Pettis to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, wrote the following about Pettis within his scouting report:

"Solid secondary receiving option who has spent time on his craft and has the ability to attack and uncover on all three levels. Pettis lacks physicality and could struggle to handle in-your-face press corners, so he may see snaps from the slot. While his punt return talent solidifies his draft standing, his ability as route-runner combined with his smooth pass-catching should give him a long, solid career."

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

"Pettis is a solid athlete and polished receiver who will also lend a hand on special teams. He offers possibilities as a third wideout who could line up on the flanks or in the slot and return punts and kicks."

Measurables

Height: 6-1
Weight: 186 lbs.
Arm length: 32 1/4 inches
Hand length: 9 1/2 inches

College Statistics