2018 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting every first round selection

The 49ers went from the dumps to the (proverbial) mountaintop on Halloween night. That’s when they pulled the trigger, sending a second-round pick to the New England Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. In his seven career starts, two in New England and five in San Francisco, Garoppolo is a perfect 7-0. Now it’s time for the 49ers to surround him with playmakers.

Marquise Goodwin emerged late last season, and veteran Pierre Garcon can move the chains, but the 49ers need a home run threat. Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley is their guy. He was massively underutilized at Alabama given the focus on the ground game and the slow development of Jalen Hurts. The difference between Hurts and Garoppolo is seismic.

Ridley is elusive in the open field, taking even routine plays and turning them into first downs and then some. His 19 touchdowns and 12.4 yards per catch at Alabama are just a taste of what Ridley can become when he’s asked to become the focal point of an offense with a quarterback that’s not afraid to take shots.

Playing at Alabama, Ridley has already made the best collegiate corners look silly. He’s going to have the same dizzying effect on defenders at the next level.