Bruce Ellington selected by San Francisco 49ers in NFL Draft fourth round
By Sydney Hunte
Jan 1, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Bruce Ellington (23) makes a fourth-down catch in front of Wisconsin Badgers safety Dezmen Southward (12) in the third quarter as the South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Wisconsin Badgers 34-24 in the Capital One Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Bruce Ellington had to wait until day three of the NFL Draft to go off the board, but the former South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver was finally selected in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers. He’ll join former college teammate Marcus Lattimore on the squad.
Ellington was projected to go in the third or fourth round by NFL.com, which turned out to be on the money. He’ll look to be part of a Niners receiving corps that includes Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin, Jonathan Martin, Quinton Patton—and now Stevie Johnson, traded to the team yesterday for a late round pick. Ellington may not see a ton of time at wideout, and he won’t even be anywhere near a top-two receiver, but could be utilized in a special teams/kick returning role alongside LaMichael James, despite not showing an ability to take it to the house during his college career.
With Ellington drafted, Connor Shaw, Victor Hampton and Kelcy Quarles are the top remaining Gamecocks that are still available on the draft board. Shaw is widely expected by many to go first among the three.