Like the other 31 teams around the league, the San Francisco 49ers have turned their attention from free agency to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Each team will have what is called a “top-30 visit” with prospects leading up to the annual event next month. The idea is to get a better understanding of the prospects before making their picks.
Per various media reports, one player set to visit the 49ers in the coming days is former USC wide receiver Brenden Rice.
If that name rings a bell, that’s because it should. He’s the son of 49ers all-time great Jerry Rice. The younger Rice has also been linked to his father’s old team a whole lot during the pre-draft process. In fact, they were one of the teams on hand for USC’s Pro Day on Wednesday.
Related: Brenden Rice scouting report
Brenden Rice as a fit for the San Francisco 49ers
At this point, it’s projected Rice will go either late in Round 3 or in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2 wide receiver hauled in 45 passes for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns for USC a season ago. He took off big time back in 2022 after transferring from Colorado.
Rice is a fit for the 49ers in that he already boasts plus-level route-running skills and has shown an ability to provide quick throwing windows for quarterbacks. It’s something head coach Kyle Shanahan demands of his wide receivers.
The youngster has also made it clear he would love to be drafted by his father’s old team. In fact, he recently spoke glowingly of 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy.
“It doesn’t matter where you get drafted. It doesn’t matter when your number is called. He’s called Mr. Irrelevant, and he made the most of his opportunity, and that’s all that matters. I just know that he’s going to put his best foot forward each day in and day out,” Rice said back in March.
Rice’s father played for the 49ers from 1985-2000, helping the team to three Super Bowl titles in the process. He ranks No. 1 in the NFL all-time in receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and receiving touchdowns (197). He’ s largely considered the greatest wide receiver in league history.