Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Players Who May Be on the Roster Bubble After NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) returns an interception for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) returns an interception for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /
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August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerome Simpson (14) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerome Simpson (14) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receiver Jerome Simpson

The signing of wide receiver Jerome Simpson in advance of the 2015 season was an interesting move, considering Simpson’s off-the-field issues and pending suspension.

In fairness to Simpson, he’s kept out of trouble since the events which forced the Minnesota Vikings to release him long before he signed with San Francisco. Simpson ended up playing in a mere five games with the 49ers after his suspension ended last year, but he was a virtual non-factor with just 54 receiving yards on five catches with one touchdown.

San Francisco’s passing offense ranked third from the bottom last year with just 3,316 yards through the air.

Much of this can be attributed to play-calling and a lack of execution, but Simpson wasn’t anywhere close to be a bona fide contributor at any point during his first year with the Niners.

The 49ers have a deep, if untested, wide receiver corps this season. And the draft and UDFA additions of receivers Aaron Burbridge and Devon Cajuste only add to the competition. Throw in redshirted former rookie DeAndre Smelter into the mix, and Simpson could be one of a few odd men out.

Simpson does have NFL experience on his side — something the majority of 49ers receivers do not.

He’ll have to prove he belongs, which looks like an uphill battle on first review.

Next: WR Bruce Ellington