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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Roster-Bubble Players to Watch in Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) and outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) jump in the air during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) and outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) jump in the air during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jerome Simpson 49ers
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerome Simpson (14) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 6: Wide Receiver Jerome Simpson

Niner Noise spent some time talking about 30-year-old veteran wide receiver Jerome Simpson earlier, and seemingly most signs from the offseason pointed at Simpson being a long shot to make the 53-man roster after a forgettable 2015 campaign.

And all this comes at a time when the 49ers are hurting for proven wide receivers.

True, there’s No. 1 guy Torrey Smith, and fellow wideout Bruce Ellington could make some splashes. But the Niners lack bona fide talent here.

Simpson was lost in the conversation for much of the offseason, but he’s had a strong camp so far.

“He probably runs around like the youngest in that group,” head coach Chip Kelly said of Simpson, via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. “It’s amazing to see how he runs. Obviously, he’s extremely fast, but just the energy and the amount of juice he has through the entire practice.”

Simpson hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Blaine Gabbert early in training camp, which could go a long way in ensuring the receiver earns a spot.

Heck, if those efforts stay at that pace, Simpson could even wind up being a worthy option in San Francisco’s offense this year.

Next: No. 5: Linebacker Corey Lemonier