Positionally evaluating the 49ers roster: Questions at WR
Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are a potent duo. After them, things become a lot more unclear.
Santa Clara, CA - When one thinks of the 49ers WR corps, they think of Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk. That might be the problem. Most championship caliber teams have at least three quality WRs - they don’t have to be all-pro caliber, but just serviceable. The 49ers, undoubtedly, only have 2 at this moment in time. Outside of the electrifying Aiyuk and bruising Samuel, the WR room is barren, with glimmers of hope here and there. We go through the rest of the WR room and evaluate each player outside of the two clear locks, and finish with a WR room projection at the end.
Mohamed Sanu
Sanu has quickly fallen off a cliff, following a productive season in 2018, in what became his last full season as an Atlanta Falcon. Sanu was then traded, mid-season, in 2019, to the Patriots for a very high price of a 2nd round pick. Needless to say, that’s become a part of a series of very questionable moves by Bill Belichick as of late, especially concerning the WR pool. Sanu was released before the 2020 season, and picked up by the 49ers, only logging 40 snaps and 1 reception for 9 yards before being released. The Lions picked him up, and Sanu was marginally better with them, logging 16 receptions for 278 yards.
It’s tough to say where Sanu stands at, but the mere fact that Belichick released him despite giving up a very high price to get him, should speak for itself. Sanu hasn’t stuck anywhere for a reason. There are rumors that he was playing through injury in 2020, and that may explain why early practice reports have Sanu looking very good during OTAs.
Sanu fits the classic Kyle Shanahan “big” slot, he's the prototype, as he was very good in Atlanta. Bourne filled that role in San Francisco for the last couple of years, but now Bourne is fittingly, in… New England. A tough, big, strong WR with good hands and route-running, and below average speed, separation skills.
As of right now, Sanu is clearly in contention for a roster spot, if not for the WR3 spot with his roster spot as well. The veteran WR knows this offense, doesn't drop passes, and is physical.
Richie James Jr
James Jr. has been a pretty good 7th round pick, all things considered. Although he hasn’t been nearly as impactful as one would hope in the passing game, James has been a key special teams contributor, both as a gunner and as a returner, and James has provided big plays even as a pure receiver throughout his career.
His breakout game against the Packers raised as many questions as it did eyebrows. Why is Kyle Shanahan keeping him in the holster? 184 receiving yards in one game, with subpar play around him was impressive to say the least. The 25 year old Middle Tennessee product has totaled 689 receiving yards over 3 seasons, and although his yardage total has increased every season, is he really the guy at WR3 for the 49ers?
Logically, yes. James has the most recent production of anyone on the roster in contention for the WR3 spot, and he combines it with ideal versatility and special teams value. He’s going to make the roster. But as mentioned prior, Kyle Shanahan seems to prefer a big slot. Could Shanahan instead opt to finally use James as he did Taylor Gabriel, in his time with the Falcons? It’s possible, if not likely.
More than half of James’ routes run last season came lined up in the slot, and 23 of his 35 targets were also with James lined up in the slot. It’s clear that he can fill that role, but it remains to be seen as to why he doesn’t get more run. Perhaps this season is that season for James Jr.
Jalen Hurd
Once upon a time, Hurd was the next big thing. That was two seasons ago. And Hurd hasn’t done a single thing in the NFL since, by no fault of his own. Hurd has struggled with injuries since high school, and is quickly approaching “disappointment” territory with his latest. After a back injury took Hurd out for the entirety of 2019, following an exciting preseason debut, Hurd tore his ACL in training camp before the 2020 season, and since, it’s been radio silence on that front. Hurd has the most to gain, and Hurd could be huge if healthy for the 49ers.
There shouldn’t be worry about Hurd getting injured again, if that happens, it’s extremely unfortunate. The main issue is that Hurd getting injured has inhibited both his development and almost surely robbed him of some of his physical ability. H2urd might have the biggest hill to climb because of his past injuries. Let’s look at his injury list.
Torn labrum (shoulder) (senior year of high school) - required surgery, missed season.
Unknown shoulder injury (college) - required surgery.
Torn meniscus (college) - required surgery.
Ankle injury (college)
Concussion (college)
Back fracture (2019) - missed sixteen games.
Torn ACL (2020) - missed sixteen games. Required surgery.
It’s a terrifying list. The issue is no longer whether Hurd gets injured again, it’s if Hurd will even be effective. If he is, the 49ers would have finally fulfilled their lottery ticket from 2019. If not, Hurd will likely see the end of his tenure as a 49er, a sad story from what was once an exciting 3rd round pick. To put things in perspective, the 49ers picked Jalen Hurd with the 3rd pick in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The next WR to come off the board was Ohio State’s Terry McLaurin, who was drafted by WAS with the 12th pick in the 3rd round.
Hurd isn’t going to fulfill being selected over McLaurin, one of the best young WRs in football, but at minimum, he still may be able to salvage his career. The former 5 star recruit has a lot riding on the line this offseason. Hurd has a high chance of making the roster, just off his draft pedigree alone - one would think that the 49ers, who’ve waited this long for Hurd, would try to get him a shot in the regular season. If Hurd can recapture at least some of what he was expected to be when he joined the 49ers, then he’s firmly in the WR3 conversation. Unfortunately, that’s more of a commentary on the quality of options at the WR3 position - a player that hasn't played a regular season snap ever, despite being picked 2 years ago, has hopes riding on them. Hurd definitely fits the “big slot” prototype that Kyle Shanahan has used so often, he excelled at it in college.
Hurd was targeted 107 times in college in his final season at Baylor. He caught 68 of 79 “catchable” targets for 943 yards and 4 TDs, impressive for a player that had moved to WR.
Of those 107 times targeted in total, 96 of those targets were with Hurd in the slot and 894 of his 943 yards were there as well. Hurd had 48 first downs in 96 targets, meaning that when he was lined up in the slot and targeted, he got the first down 50% of the time, which is obviously very impressive. There’s a reason the 49ers picked him.
Jauan Jennings
Jennings is… interesting. Like Hurd, and those who came before him (hello, Trent Taylor and Dante Pettis), many have placed a lot of hope in him.
I’m more reserved, after being burned before. Jennings is yet another “big slot” (what’s the term counter on this article?), at 6 foot 3 inches, and 212 pounds. Jennings has bad separation skills, but he brings sure hands, extreme physicality, and YAC ability. In his final season at Tennessee, Jennings was targeted 95 times. In 80 of those 95 times, Jennings was lined up in the slot. Jennings both has experience lining up as a big slot and is effective at doing so. While lined up in the slot, Jennings put up some impressive numbers in his final season at Tennessee, similar to Jalen Hurd:
52 receptions on 80 targets
849 yards
400 yards after the catch
232 yards after contact
18 broken tackles, 7 forced missed tackles
38 first downs
8 TDs
One can clearly see the physicality and ability to break tackles on tape, but how will it translate to the NFL? That remains to be seen, but Jennings should have a big opportunity to win this WR3 job in camp this season.
He’s a complete unknown, and that’s a good thing and a bad thing, depending on how you feel about Jennings in college. Jennings has a good shot at making the roster, but he’s fighting an uphill battle because of his similarity to both Hurd and Sanu, both of whom may have the upper-hand. Jennings reportedly looked to be in great shape at OTAs, and although that’s seemingly said about every player, at every OTA, ever, Jennings could definitely take advantage of the wide-open hole(s) at WR.
Trent Sherfield
The newest Trent on the roster, Sherfield spent three seasons down in Glendale, playing for the Cardinals. Unfortunately, Sherfield has seen his production decline in every season despite only being 25. The former Vanderbilt WR is yet another bigger, slower WR at 6 foot 1 inches and around 220 pounds. Sherfield has an uphill battle to beat out guys like Jennings and Sanu, mainly because he simply doesn’t have the slot experience that either had, both in college and the NFL. Let’s take Sherfield’s most productive season, 2018.
Sherfield ran 206 routes, was targeted 28 times, and caught 19 of those passes for 210 yards and 1 TD. It’s OK production. 13 of those targets came in the slot, and just 8 receptions for 81 yards. Sherfield forced just one missed tackle, and had just four yards after the catch. Even for his small sample size, that’s not good - and it’s why he is going to have to battle to win a roster spot. Once again, early reporting is that Sherfield very well may make this roster and be a contributor. We will know more when training camp rolls around, he’s definitely a player that one should watch closely.
Travis Benjamin
The 5 foot 10 inch, 175 pound return specialist was a mainstay on special teams throughout most of his career, but as his speed has left him, so have his suitors. The last time Benjamin played, he wasn’t good. Benjamin did have 314 receiving yards under Kyle Shanahan’s Browns back in 2014, and 2015 was a career year for him, but honestly - it’s tough to see a place for Benjamin on this roster. Both Aiyuk and James are very good return specialist options, leaving Benjamin’s pickings slim. He won’t beat out James for a roster spot, but can he beat another WR out with his receiving skills? That’s also doubtful to me. It’s been 4 years since Benjamin was an effective option as a pure WR, and at 31 years old, his once blazing speed is not what it was. 4.31 aside, Benjamin faces a steep climb to make this roster, with his primary competition being Richie James, who's a virtual lock.
Kevin White
The most intriguing name to me in this lower tier, White’s career has been a complete failure up to this point. Injury after injury plagued White in Chicago, and the former 7th overall pick had a short tenure in Arizona before being picked up by the 49ers last season.
Then, despite the 49ers’ massive injury total, White seldom received opportunity, with the 49ers instead opting to sign and then start River Cracraft, who we will discuss later. With that being said, why is White even on the roster? That’s what makes him intriguing.
Through the churning of the WR depth from last season onwards, somehow, White has stuck this long. That says… something. Kyle Shanahan went out of his way to compliment White after OTAs, and although, once again, this is “best shape of his life” season, it’s not to be frowned upon either.
The problem with White might not even be his play - we don’t even know what he even is, as a player. His injuries have robbed him of even showing off whether he has said ability or not, he’s barely gotten snaps. Don’t expect much of White, and definitely don’t expect him to fulfill any pre-draft Julio Jones comparisons that he got. But don’t be surprised if White makes this roster as well. Another physically gifted WR, White’s 4.3 speed and 6 foot 3 inch frame could be intriguing to Kyle Shanahan.
River Cracraft
Easily the best name on the roster, Cracraft caught 6 of his 9 targets for the 49ers last season, after being picked up as a late season acquisition. Cracraft has good size at 6 foot and roughly 200 pounds, and he provides special teams value as well. Cracraft is definitely in contention to make the roster, battling with the likes of White, Sanu, and Jennings for the final spot(s). Kyle Shanahan kept 6 WRs on the Week 1 roster in 2020, and 7 WRs in 2019, suggesting that there is space for Cracraft on this roster. Whether he is one of those guys, remains up to him.
Austin Watkins Jr
The UDFA WR was ultra-productive at UAB, and brings size to the table. He’s not polished in terms of route running and doesn’t provide much special teams value, not much of a speedster either - really, he’s a contested catch phenom. Yet another bigger WR on this roster, Watkins could rise in these ranks with a strong training camp. But if OTAs were any indicator, it’s not likely - Watkins routinely showed up on the bad side of observations during OTAs, though he reportedly finished strong.
Bennie Fowler Jr
Fowler, unlike Watkins and Cracraft, is experienced. The grizzled veteran brings 5 years of NFL play to the table, and some production with it too, albeit nothing impressive. Fowler’s best season game in 2017 with the Denver Broncos, in which he caught 29 of his 56 targets for 350 yards and 3 TDs.
His experience alone can give him an upper hand on Watkins Jr, but Fowler’s inability to get snaps in an injured and weak Saints WR room is troubling. Still, if his first four years are any indicator, Fowler can definitely give you a stable 150 to 200 receiving yards in a season, which is exactly what is expected of a WR5. Definitely in contention for a roster spot, but like others, faces a tough battle. A bigger style of WR (I’m tired of saying this), Fowler can play in the slot or outside, and fits the Shanahan big slot prototype at 6 foot 1 inches and 212 pounds.
Andy Jones
Known more as the guy with the last name Jones, acquired during the height of Julio Jones trade rumors, Andy Jones has not played since 2018, during a brief stint with the Detroit Lions in which he caught 11 passes for 80 yards and a single score. Jones is once again, a big slot type, at 6 foot 1 inches and 217 pounds. Jones faces the steepest climb of any WR on this roster. There isn’t much else to say about him, but Jones isn’t a burner either, with a 4.60 40 yard dash. The 27 year old has his work cut out for him.
Projection:
Brandon Aiyuk
Deebo Samuel
Richie James Jr
Jalen Hurd
Mohamed Sanu
Jauan Jennings
Kevin White
Aiyuk is going to lead this WR room, and Samuel provides the second punch. It’s very likely that Hurd and Jennings get their shot on this roster this season, and Richie James Jr is going to make this roster as well - after all, James Jr made the roster in past seasons with stronger overall WR rooms.
That leaves one to two roster spots, and this season, I think the 49ers will go with 7 WRs. Samuel has shown a propensity to get injured in his short career, and Hurd/Sanu have their own issues. The extra WR can help in the likelihood that the 49ers need an extra guy. Two roster spots left, and I think clearly, one of those will belong to Mohamed Sanu. The clear veteran presence in the locker room, Sanu knows this offense, which gives him an advantage already over some other newcomers. That leaves a final spot, and I’ll give that to Kevin White. I think talent wins out in the end, and White has that in troves, the issue has always been durability and just getting a chance to begin with. He’s a complete unknown, and I think that might be a good thing. If not White, I expect this to be Cracraft, but White makes the most sense to me. With his physical gifts, he’d make an ideal gunner, and also could be experimented with as a kick returner - which gives him added value. Cracraft brings this too, but with less upside.
All of the WRs selected have been on the roster longer than this offseason (or know this offense by heart), speaking to the biggest need in terms of depth - guys that can step in and fill in, rather than require adjusting to.
The fact that at least 4 of these guys will make the roster, and we will be relying on at least 2 of them to contribute in the passing game is very worrisome. And god forbid Deebo, Aiyuk, or Kittle get hurt. I know we're not going to have All-Pro backups everywhere, but I don't feel confident there's a single guy there who can replace the 667 yards Bourne took with him. Adding an upgrade at WR3 would go a very long way.
WR3 is a critical role but none of the wr listed above really excite me. Richie James one good game is a outlier to me. I won't be shocked if trade for a mid tier wr by the start of the season.