In 2018, the San Francisco 49ers were the only team in the NFL to not have a wide receiver gain 500 yards and one of only two to not have one with at least 45 receptions. It also marked the 12th time in the last 15 years that the Niners failed to have a wide out reach at least 1,000 yards
Recognizing the position as an issue, head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed to make it a priority to bring in new blood this offseason. Now, while there isn’t a true number one option, there does seem to be more talent to work with. Here’s a look at each receiver who could make an impact for the Niners this season, and where they currently stand on the roster:
The veteran locks
Dante Pettis
In just his second season, Pettis may be as close to a number one as the team has at the position. After a slow start to his rookie campaign, Pettis went on a tear from Weeks 12-15, catching 17 balls for 338 yards and four touchdowns. During the final seven weeks of the season, quarterbacks had a passer rating of 139.5 when targeting Pettis, which was sixth best for wide outs with at least 20 targets according to Pro Football Focus.
The one concern for Pettis is his durability, as a knee injury limited him during the first 10 games of 2018, and then a separate MCL sprain officially ended his season in Week 16. With so many questions at the position, keeping Pettis on the field is of the utmost importance.
Trent Taylor
During the 2017 season, the only rookie wide receivers with more catches than Taylor’s 43 were JuJu Smith-Schuster and Cooper Kupp. Taylor’s production was both efficient and clutch, as he hauled in 71.7% of his targets and made 63% of his receptions on third down.
The arrow seemed to be pointed up for Taylor last year, but a pinched nerve in his lower back required surgery, and he just wasn’t the same player. Taylor’s numbers dropped significantly as he only caught 26 balls for 215 yards.
Now that he’s healthy again, Taylor’s looked quick and rejuvenated at training camp, and is poised to play a big role in the offense once again.
Looking safe
Marquise Goodwin
After signing as a free agent prior to 2017, no one really knew what to expect from Goodwin. After all, he hadn’t gotten much action with the Buffalo Bills, seeing only 111 targets in four seasons. But Goodwin made a big impression in San Francisco, gaining 962 yards in his first year with the team. He looked especially good when Jimmy Garoppolo took over behind center, as the two hooked up 29 times for 384 yards over the season’s final five games.
Like Taylor though, injuries plagued Goodwin last year and he couldn’t come close to the same production. Other than a 124 yard, two touchdown game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 4, Goodwin was largely invisible, finishing with 23 receptions and 395 yards in eleven games.
Shanahan seems ready to take the “less is more” approach with Goodwin in year three, as he’s said he sees the speedy receiver in more of a part-time role. That could help Goodwin to not only stay healthy, but also make the most of his opportunities.
The Rookies
Deebo Samuel
After spending a second-round pick on Samuel, big things will be expected from the South Carolina product. Samuel is a polished route runner, plays physical and is a monster with the ball in his hands. In fact, 600 of Samuel’s 882 yards in 2018 came after the catch.
Like any rookie though, it takes time to get acclimated to the NFL, and that’s especially true at receiver. While Samuel will be a big part of the offense, it may take some time before he truly pays dividends.
Jalen Hurd
The 49ers doubled down on receivers in the 2018 draft, talking Hurd in the third-round to follow the Saumel pick. However, while Samuel is relatively pro-ready, Hurd seems more like a project pick. After all, he only played one season of receiver in college after spending his first three years as a running back. It’s obvious Shanahan sees him as an eventual chess piece on offense, but when that comes to fruition is up in the air.
In the interim, the 6-4, 227 pound Hurd may find himself the odd man out on game day, with the hopes that he can produce down the line. The approach could be similar to the one the 49ers took with another third-round pick, Ahkello Witherpsoon, who didn’t see the field early on in his rookie year.
On the bubble
Jordan Matthews
After signing a one-year free agent deal, Matthews brings a much needed veteran presence to a group that is filled with younger options. The questions is: Which Matthews are the 49ers getting?
From 2014-16, Matthews averaged 891 yards and scored 21 touchdowns for the Philadelphia Eagles. However, a stint with the Buffalo Bills and then a return to Philly yielded mixed results the next two seasons as Matthews managed a combined 582 yards and three scores.
The 49ers are hoping that a change of scenery can revive the 27-year old, and he can return to producing, especially when it comes to catching touchdowns. No other receiver on the San Francisco roster has more than 12 career scores.
Kendrick Bourne
It isn’t common to see a receiver who led the group in catches and yards the previous season on the roster bubble, but that’s where Bourne is. However, while his 42 receptions and 487 yards were tops on the 49ers, it paled in comparison to other teams in the NFL.
One thing Bourne does seem to bring to the table is durability, and he was the only Niners receiver to play in all 16 games in 2018. Still, the third-year pro will have to prove the arrow’s pointed up, and he’s more than just a fourth or fifth option in order to beat out Matthews.
Uphill battle
Richie James
A seventh round pick in 2018, James was a solid returner, averaging 25.2 yards per return with a touchdown. He didn’t make much of an impact in the passing game though, as he was only targeted 14 times all year. It will be an uphill battle to make the final 53, but a place on the practice squad isn’t out of the question for the speedster.
