5 49ers Who Could Make San Francisco Playoff Contenders

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

No. 3: WR DeAndre Smelter (or anyone else stepping up)

Again, the 49ers need a No. 1 wide receiver. Besides Anquan Boldin, and maybe Michael Crabtree or Randy Moss from 2012, the team hasn’t had one since Terrell Owens left in 2004. That is a long time.

Torrey Smith may be the No. 1 this year. But can he catch more passes, be more of a down-in and down-out threat? His speed is always there, but what about consistency?

Well, Smith may not have to take on being No. 1 at all.

The 49ers have quite a few young receivers in Bruce Ellington, Eric Rogers and DeAndre Smelter, who could all become No. 1 guys. Even rookie Aaron Burbridge may step up. It may not happen this year. But by 2017, the 49ers could find their man among this group of playmakers.

If it does happen this year though, the 49ers could be playoff bound with an offense that nearly tops the league. The offensive line is improving, and which one of these receivers can help his quarterback out?

Smelter and Rogers are big targets, and Smelter may be more touted.

In talking with college football enthusiasts, it’s hard to ignore their telling that Smelter had first-round talent before tearing his ACL before being drafted. Well, Smelter is healthy now, and his big-bodied competition at receiver likely boils down to head coach Chip Kelly’s hand-picked CFL product, Rogers.

This is a win-win situation for the 49ers because either high college-grade talent pans out or hard-working developmental talent shines.

Unless both fail, and that isn’t likely, look for one of these two receivers — or perhaps both — to infuse the 49ers offense with scary playmaking skills in 2016.

Next: No. 2, Carlos Hyde