​The San Francisco 49ers’ undrafted rookie class includes two wide receivers who couldn’t be more different in size, style, and approach. If you saw Will Pauling on the street, you wouldn’t immediately think “professional athlete.” He’s listed at 5’9” and 183 pounds, a compact frame that doesn’t scream breakout threat. Wesley Grimes, by contrast, looks the part of a prototypical outside receiver at 6’2” and 193 pounds, combining height with the athleticism you’d expect from a big-bodied target. Among the UDFA group that also features Ricky Pearsall, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and Junior Bergen, Grimes stands out as the player with the best odds to carve out a meaningful role, thanks to his size and burst.
Grimes arrives with tangible athletic testing that aligns with an NFL-ready frame. At North Carolina State’s Pro Day, he posted a 35-inch vertical leap and clocked a 4.35-second 40-yard dash. His college tape underscored that acceleration, as WRs routinely created separation on go routes and deep corners. For a 49ers receiving corps that leaned into speed and downfield explosiveness in 2025, Grimes’ speed profile is exactly the kind of addition the scouting department prioritized.
Age: 22
Experience: Rookie
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 193 pounds
On May 8, the 49ers signed Grimes to a three-year, $3.11 million contract, a deal that includes $200,000 guaranteed. In the landscape of undrafted free agency, that guarantee places him within a respectable tier—roughly 98th among the 382 UDFA signings in 2026. While the guarantee adds a cushion for Grimes, it also means the 49ers would incur dead money against the cap if he fails to make the final roster: roughly $688,333 in such a scenario. The contract details reflect the team’s calculated risk and potential upside.
There are multiple reasons the 49ers should take a chance on Grimes. His height-weight-speed balance gives him the look and feel of a No. 1-style matchup opponent, a profile that the offense has missed in recent seasons. Malik Turner is now over 30 and has had ample opportunities—on special teams and as a potential Jauan Jennings replacement—to prove he can be a consistent, reliable option. It may be time for the organization to pivot and invest in a younger, higher-upside option with Grimes’ blend of size, speed, and a competitive edge.
Grimes’ game translated well to a Shanahan-style receiver archetype. At NC State, his average target depth was 12.9 yards, and he averaged just over five yards after the catch per catch. He had six games with a 20-yard reception, highlighting his ability to contribute on deeper routes while still producing after the catch. A portion of his production came on in-breaking routes, and he proved efficient on targets that extended beyond 20 yards. That combination of distance-reliant plays and yak ability mirrors the types of plays that the 49ers have historically leaned on to stretch defenses and create after-catch opportunities.
In terms of foundational traits, Grimes has an ideal baseline to develop from. At 22, he possesses the aggressiveness after the catch that can be channeled into effective blocking and run-after-catch efficiency. He may not reach the ceiling of a true WR1, but the tools are there—speed, size, ball-tracking hands, and a willingness to work in contested-catch scenarios and on horizontal routes. Those attributes would fill a number of gaps the 49ers have faced in recent seasons, offering a potential solution on the outside that complements the existing roster.
If Grimes can translate his college speed and competitive edge into a consistent NFL-ready routine, he could emerge as a versatile weapon for a Shanahan offense that thrives on strategic mismatches and dynamic wide receiver usage. His profile aligns with the current needs of the team: a bigger, faster receiver who can win on deeper routes, contribute in the intermediate game, and provide a solid blocker in the running game. With the right development, Grimes could become a meaningful contributor in 2026 and beyond, adding a new dimension to the 49ers’ receiving corps while complementing the established players and helping to balance the offense against top defenses.