49ers Training Camp position-by-position breakdown

Wide Receiver Breakdown

The 49ers wide receiver position is also in the midst of a big shuffle. The 49ers have struggled for many years to get quality receivers for then-QB Alex Smith and Kaepernick. They finally found a superb one in Anquan Boldin, but meanwhile let perennial disappointment Michael Crabtree walk across the bay to the Oakland Raiders. Stevie Johnson also left for the other California team down in San Diego after just one mediocre (at best) year with the 49ers organization.

With these departures, however, came one excellent addition: former Boldin teammate in Baltimore, Torrey Smith. Smith has had his struggles with drops, but he is also a player who can take the top off of a defense — something that the 49ers have not had in a very, very, VERY long time.

Other receivers for the 49ers include Quinton Patton, who always seems to be a sexy pick for a “breakout” year, despite not yet having one, second year man Bruce Ellington (also out of South Carolina), who will primarily be a return man, free agent acquisition and low-risk, not-too-high reward receiver Jerome Simpson, previously of the Bengals and Vikings (and someone who has had many struggles with marijuana throughout his career), Kassim Osgood, who will probably make the bottom of the roster, undrafted rookie DeAndrew White, who will likely be a practice squad player, and one of the most underrated players in the draft in my humble opinion, DeAndre Smelter. Smelter, who hails from the receiver factory known as Georgia Tech, has the size and build of Anquan Boldin (6’3, 220 lbs) and fell in the draft due to a torn ACL last season. He won’t be playing in training camp, but look for him in the early or middle of the regular season, and if he heals properly, look for him to shine.

Next: Tight End Breakdown