Niner Noise
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49ers 5 Biggest Disappointments So Far in the Preseason

By Robert Smith

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kellyl against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kellyl against the Denver Broncos during the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 49ers beat the Broncos 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 5, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver DeAndrew White (18) trains at SAP Performance Facility at Levi
Aug 5, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver DeAndrew White (18) trains at SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

1. 49ers Wide Receiving Corps

The football gods have not been kind to the 49ers when it comes to this group.

After struggling last season with poor performance from the wideouts, the team signed CFL standout Eric Rogers, drafted Aaron Burbridge in the sixth round in the 2016 NFL draft and were anticipating the debut of DeAndre Smelter — last season’s fourth round pick out of Georgia Tech.

But Rogers tore his ACL. Smelter has been hampered with a hamstring injury and Burbridge has done little to distinguish himself as a go-to threat.

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Now, part of the issue could be a simple matter of there being a lack of talent. The receiving corps has six wideouts who were undrafted free agents, including DeAndrew White, Devon Cajuste, Bryce Treggs, Dres Anderson, DiAndre Campbell and the aforementioned Eric Rogers.

General manager Trent Baalke has definitely not put an emphasis on drafting a wide receiver high, with the exception of A.J. Jenkins, who was taken in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.

Jenkins is no longer with the team, and is actually not signed at all currently by any other team.

With Torrey Smith, Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington slated to be the 49ers starters going into the season, it seems as though the team could certainly use more ammunition.

That fact was exacerbated when Ellington left Friday’s game against the Packers with a pulled hamstring.

While the group has shown flashes of talent (Cajuste’s 40-yard catch and Dres Anderson hauling in two catches for 42 yards), the overall consistency and ability to get separation just has not been there.

And with the defenses and press coverage that the 49ers will face in just the division alone, the Niners need more from this group if they have any hope of attaining success this season.

Prediction: Smelter comes back from his hamstring injury and gives the Niners some production. Dres Anderson surprises and makes the 53-man roster.

Next: Breaking Down 49ers First Wave of 2016 Roster Cuts

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.