San Francisco 49ers: 10 Starters Who Might Not Make the 53-Man Roster in 2016
By Peter Panacy
No. 6: Wide Receiver Quinton Patton
Yes, wide receiver Quinton Patton ended up starting four games for the 49ers last season. So he classifies for this list.
And he may not find his way onto the roster in 2016.
Like tight end Vance McDonald, fans and the coaching staff have been waiting for that moment when Patton truly emerges as a bona fide threat. To date, Patton has been about as inconsistent as anyone else with question marks about their roster status.
Patton enjoyed his best career year in 2015 — posting 30 receptions for 394 yards and a touchdown in the process.
But are those numbers indicative of a climb in production? It’s hard to say.
Complicating the matter is a young up-and-coming crop of receivers. Fellow wideout Bruce Ellington should easily overtake Patton on the depth chart, if he hasn’t already, and Patton will get the competitive heat from other wideouts like DeAndre Smelter, Aaron Burbridge, Dres Anderson, Bryce Treggs, DiAndre Campbell, DeAndrew White and even Devon Cajuste.
The question is whether or not the 49ers have seen enough regarding Patton.
If so, the team may want to consider giving one of the younger players his roster spot to start the season.
Next: ILB Michael Wilhoite