Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Projecting 53-Man Roster in 2016

By Peter Panacy

August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter 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 defensive end Arik Armstead (69, left) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) celebrate during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) carries the ball for the game winning 71 yard touchdown in front of Chicago Bears defensive back Chris Prosinski (31) during the overtime period 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) carries the ball for the game winning 71 yard touchdown in front of Chicago Bears defensive back Chris Prosinski (31) during the overtime period at Soldier Field. The 49ers won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receiver

Torrey Smith, Bruce Ellington, Aaron Burbridge, Quinton Patton, Eric Rogers, DeAndre Smelter

Veteran wideout Torrey Smith is the unquestioned No. 1 option here. No surprises.

But the No. 2 job is completely up for grabs. Could it go to younger veterans like Bruce Ellington or Quinton Patton? Will former CFL standout Eric Rogers earn the nod? Or, perhaps, will second-year pro DeAndre Smelter make a strong case after being redshirted a year ago?

Any of the above scenarios are possible.

Let’s go with Ellington as the top candidate to earn the No. 2 gig for now. The reason is, at least according to Rich Madrid of Niner Noise, Ellington could emerge as an X-factor under head coach Chip Kelly. Unlike previous coaching regimes, Kelly might be able to get the most out of Ellington’s skill set.

One might also think rookie wideout Aaron Burbridge — the likely heir apparent to veteran wideout, and current free agent, Anquan Boldin — could earn the No. 2 spot.

Perhaps. But according to the 49ers’ YouTube site, the team is envisioning him as a slot receiver for now:

Keep an eye on Smelter though. He won’t start right away but, if things go correctly, the promising young receiver could wind up being the first of general manager Trent Baalke’s ACL-risk picks to actually pan out at the pro level.

Next: Running Back