49ers Draft Scouting: Gavin Freeman

Baylor wide receiver Gavin Freeman is among the most underrated receivers in the nation with his proven production, reliability, explosiveness with the ball. He’s an intriguing mid-round target for the San Francisco 49ers and would give Kyle Shanahan another dynamic weapon in his arsenal.

Freeman, the five-foot-nine, 181-pound redshirt senior, spent his first two seasons at Oklahoma before transferring to Oklahoma State, where he spent another two years. Following this, he entered the transfer portal again after and chose Baylor, which is proving to be the right decision.

Freeman has already tallied 63 receptions for 792 yards and three touchdowns with the Bears. He’s currently playing his best football, surpassing 100 yards in three of his last four games. He’s solidified himself as DJ Lagway’s primary target and the focal point of their passing attack.

Production alone isn’t enough to be a draft prospect. What separates Freeman is his elite burst and route running. He has a lightning quick first step and jolts off the line, quickly reaching top-speed. From there, he has fluid hips and can change direction instantly.

This ability is also clear after the catch. He has dangerous speed and excellent vision, which makes him a constant threat to turn a mediocre gain into an explosive play. He’s done this countless times this season, including a 77-yard touchdown last week against UCF.

Beyond this, he’s a high IQ player who understands how to stem defenders. He expertly finds soft spots against zone coverage and makes himself an option for quarterback’s while scrambling.

Freeman’s elite hands also contribute to this. He doesn’t have a large catch radius, but frequently makes off-target catches, even throwing in some highlight-worthy moments. He rarely drops the ball and is reliable, which is exactly what the 49ers need.

As expected, Freeman’s primary concern is his size. His small frame, even for a slot receiver, is concerning. He thrives between the numbers, but is susceptible to big hits, which he will see plenty of in the NFL. As a result, his durability will be questioned during the draft cycle.

Despite this, Freeman is an ideal day-two or day-three target for the 49ers. They have a talented, but injury prone receiver corps who needs reinforced. If they don’t add one early in April, then waiting and selecting Freeman in a later round is a dream scenario.

It’s far too early to say anything definitive, as the season’s only mid-way through. But Gavin Freeman is already emerging as an enticing fit. Fans should remember his name, as it’s likely to resurface in a few months.