Ever since 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel burst on the scene in 2019 as a dual-threat playmaker, teams have been itching to find ‘the next Deebo Samuel’ via the draft. So far no player has been able to replicate his success, but this year one prospect is drawing Samuel comparisons. Unsurprisingly, that player is visiting with the 49ers.
According to Aaron Wilson of KCRP2 in Houston, Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley is due to visit with San Francisco on Wednesday as part of a busy pre-draft schedule.
Corley in four years at Western Kentucky posted 259 catches for 3,035 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also rushed 16 times for 92 yards.
While his rushing numbers aren’t as prolific as Samuel’s were at South Carolina, Corley is built like Samuel at 5-11, 215 pounds, and he wields that size with similar ferocity after the catch. He averaged 9.2 yards after the catch per reception on 36 receptions behind the line of scrimmage last season according to Pro Football Focus. Corley also posted 8.8 yards after the catch per reception on throws 0-9 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
It’s easy to see why NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein made Samuel Corley’s player comp in his draft profile. It’s also easy to see how Corley would be an immediate fit for the 49ers as they begin setting themselves up for the next few seasons where playmakers like Samuel may be moving on.
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