Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 Bold Predictions for Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) stands on the field prior to a game against Air Force at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) stands on the field prior to a game against Air Force at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Aaron Burbridge Emerges as the No. 2 Wide Receiver

Aside from No. 1 wideout Torrey Smith, the 49ers wide receiver depth chart is wide open for competition heading into training camp.

The likely assumption is third-year pro Bruce Ellington gets the nod here, and head coach Chip Kelly will probably have the right approach to maximize his skill set. Still, Ellington — at 5-foot-9 and 197 pounds — isn’t exactly the prototypical receiving target in a traditional offense.

True, Kelly’s offense isn’t traditional. But what if we went with the prediction of Ellington not exactly asserting himself in camp, thus allowing someone else to step up and fill the void.

Enter rookie wide receiver Aaron Burbridge.

San Francisco’s sixth-round pick of the 2016 NFL Draft appears to be a nearly identical clone of former 49ers receiver, and perennial reception leader, Anquan Boldin.

With Boldin out of the picture, the door is open for someone like Burbridge to emerge as a sort of “safety blanket” for the 49ers quarterback.

Remember, Burbridge bailed out former Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook on more than a handful of occasions, and the former’s catch radius and physicality make him a strong candidate to have a serious impact at the pro level.

There’s talk of Burbridge assuming a slot role this season, as illustrated in the video below, so it’s safe to assume the rookie will get his fair share of looks during camp.

With Smith taking coverage over the top, Burbridge may thrive in underneath slot-route passes.

So let’s go with this prediction and make the rookie the perfect complement to Smith. This bold prediction bumps Burbridge all the way up to No. 2 on the depth chart.

Next: No. 1: Colin Kaepernick Retakes Starting QB Gig