49ers Wide Receiver DeAndre Smelter & His Potential

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Nov 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (15) celebrates with fans after their win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers will need some help at wide receiver this season, and one player who might be offering reinforcements is 2014 draftee DeAndre Smelter.

Smelter, a former Georgia Tech prospect, was redshirted his rookie season after the Niners picked him in up Round 4 and did not see any NFL action.

Having not played that much football during his collegiate career — he switched from baseball to football as illustrated in the video below — and only playing 12 games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear on November 29, 2014 against Georgia, Smelter still has not reached his full potential, nor is he close to it.

In fact, it remains an untapped resource.

Because of Smelter’s upside, one has to think and believe general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Chip Kelly decided collectively, and were on one accord when waiting, to draft a wide receiver in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft, selecting Michigan State’s Aaron Burbridge.

Nov 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (15) runs after a catch as Virginia Cavaliers defensive end Mike Moore (32) pursues in their game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

For now, let’s take a look at five highlighted reasons why Smelter has such a tremendous upside.

And you’ll want to check out what the 49ers are saying about Smelter on the team’s website.

Next: Smelter's Hands

DeAndre Smelter: 49ers Wide Receiver Has a Huge Upside with Untapped Potential

By Sequoia Sims | May 12, 2016

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver DeAndre Smelter has a huge upside with loads of untapped potential. After missing his rookie season last year while recovering from a collegiate ACL injury, let’s take a look at what the second-year pro may have to offer in 2016.