San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players With a Last Chance in 2016
By Jerod Brown
Quinton Patton-Wide Receiver
Where do we begin with Quinton Patton? For every step he takes forward, he seems to take a few backwards. With every catch for a first down, there is a personal foul penalty to remind us how immature he acts on the field.
When the 49ers drafted Patton in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, there were high hopes for what he might provide. He starred at receiver for Louisiana Tech and was seen as a potential number two receiver in the NFL.
The 49ers haven’t needed him to be anything more than a productive third receiver and he has failed to live up to those expectations to this point in his career. 2015 was the first time that Patton saw extended opportunities and he showed glimpses of what the team hoped coming out of college.
He had 30 catches for 394 yards with one touchdown. Those numbers won’t wow anyone. But, in an offense controlled by former offensive coordinator Geep Chryst, and with the tumultuous quarterback situation, Patton began to make a name for himself.
The issue with Patton is not so much that he can’t play. Given a chance, he could be a very solid third receiver. The issue is that he is so emotional on the field that you never know when he might cost your team a penalty. That volatility, paired with a relatively unproductive career, makes him a risk at a roster spot.
Patton has shown skills that would fit nicely in Kelly’s system but only if he remains sharp and focused. Patton will need to spend the offseason and training camp showing that he committed to being recognized for the right reasons. He’ll also have to show he’s less focused on chirping at others.
If not, he may not make it out of camp this season. And certainly won’t return in 2017.
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