San Francisco 49ers: 5 Best Position Battles to Watch in Training Camp
By Peter Panacy
Wide Receiver
Players on Roster: Dres Anderson, Aaron Burbridge, DiAndre Campbell, Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, Eric Rogers, Jerome Simpson, DeAndre Smelter, Torrey Smith, Bryce Treggs, DeAndrew White
Unlike the previous two slides, wide receiver was a pressing area of need for San Francisco during the draft.
In sixth-round prospect Aaron Burbridge out of Michigan State, the 49ers appear to have landed a player in the still-unsigned mold of veteran Anquan Boldin — not the best in terms of speed but a sure-handed pass-catcher to contest for balls in tightly contested places.
Wide receiver Torrey Smith is the best out of this bunch. There isn’t much of a question there. But what about the remaining crop of receivers? Who emerges out of a deep, yet unproven bunch?
The 49ers may be losing patience in young veterans Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington — players who have showcased moments of brilliance but have yet to establish themselves as surefire options.
DeAndre Smelter, a second-year wideout who missed his rookie season while recovering from an ACL injury, is promising. And former CFL standout Eric Rogers might offer something to the offense as well. But we won’t know for certain until training camp — well, the regular season — hits the calendar.
San Francisco has a lot of bodies here, which is good for head coach Chip Kelly and his offense. But determining who fits the best and, most importantly, who can contribute the most will take time.
Next: Cornerback