Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Ranking Top 5 Needs in 2016 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

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Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during a player injury against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during a player injury against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Wide Receiver

Players on Roster: Dres Anderson, DiAndre Campbell, Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, Eric Rogers, Jerome Simpson, DeAndre Smelter, Torrey Smith, DeAndrew White

Free-agent wide receiver Anquan Boldin remains on the market, and yet the 49ers may be looking to replace the veteran, who will be turning 36 years old this upcoming season.

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) celebrates with wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) after scoring the game winning 71 yard touchdown during the overtime against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The 49ers won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) celebrates with wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) after scoring the game winning 71 yard touchdown during the overtime against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The 49ers won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

The only proven commodity at this position is wide receiver Torrey Smith. Fellow wideouts Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington have flashed some moments, but neither have solidified themselves as a part of the Niners’ long-term plans.

While head coach Chip Kelly could be the guy who generates more of a return out of these developing players, San Francisco could stand for some significant playmaking upgrades here.

DeAndre Smelter is a player to watch at this position. He was redshirted his rookie season last year while recovering from a collegiate injury, so we have no clue how he’ll respond to a year away from on-field activities.

And, unless the 49ers are banking on notable contributions from guys like Eric Rogers and/or Jerome Simpson, it’s safe to assume the wide receiver position is pretty thin.

It’s unlikely general manager Trent Baalke would use a first-round pick to address this need. The last time Baalke went this route was in 2012 when the Niners tabbed wide receiver A.J. Jenkins. And that pick didn’t work out so well.

Yet Baalke may look to find a player to fill the void in the mid-to-late rounds in order to create some competition and, possibly, emerge as a nice complementary piece to the receiving corps.

Next: No. 4: Inside Linebacker