San Francisco 49ers: 5 Takeaways from 2016 OTA Sessions

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December 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches the football against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam Jones (24) during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Who’s leading the wide receiver race?

We know that Torrey Smith will be one of the starting receivers going into 2016. But who plays opposite him?

Again, the team has plenty of options – Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, DeAndrew White, DeAndre Smelter, Eric Rogers, Dres Anderson, DiAndre Campbell, Devon Cajuste, Jerome Simpson, Bryce Treggs and Aaron Burbridge.

Phew, that’s quite the list.

Out of these guys, it has been Rogers who has looked the most impressive. He is the team’s tallest receiver at 6’3″ and is increasingly looking like an ideal replacement for still unsigned Anquan Boldin.

He has a great ability to get up and catch the football, and when you combine this trait with his professional football experience in the Arena league and the Canadian league, gives him an unique advantage over the other players on the roster. Ellington and Patton also have experience, but they are just 5’9″ and 6’0″ respectively.

He has so far impressed in 7-on-7 drills and been featured heavily in the passing drills, as Maiocco explains:

"Rogers had six receptions, including a leaping grab in traffic, in 7-on-7 and team drills. The only other receiver who was anywhere near as active was DeAndrew White. Patton, who is likely to figure into the mix, did not see much action come his way after he recently returned to the field from an undisclosed right arm injury."

Ellington right now is the clubhouse leader in the race to be the team’s slot receiver. When strong safety Antoine Bethea was asked which receiver had impressed him the most through the offseason, it was Ellington, who he said was moving well and getting in position consistently to catch the football, per David Fucillo of Niners Nation.

If he keeps practicing like this and learns the offense, Ellington looks like a lock to be on the final 53-man roster as the team’s slot receiver. Additionally, he could also double as the team’s punt returner.

The other players will need to justify their spots through the rest of camp by excelling in the drills. By training camp in July we will have a much better idea on who has stepped up and who has regressed to the roster bubble.

Next: Who's struggling so far in the OTAs?