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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Players the Team Needs to Move On from in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) watches the game action against Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) watches the game action against Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) reacts with fans in the stands prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) reacts with fans in the stands prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Wide Receiver Quinton Patton

Yes, wide receiver Quinton Patton enjoyed a career-high year in 2016. Even so, his numbers aren’t exactly anything to warrant serious future consideration:

Receiving & Rushing Table
Games Receiving
Year Age Tm Pos No. G GS Tgt Rec Yds Y/R TD Lng R/G Y/G Ctch%
2013 23 SFO 11 6 0 5 3 34 11.3 0 29 0.5 5.7 60.0%
2014 24 SFO 11 4 0 8 3 44 14.7 0 35 0.8 11.0 37.5%
2015 25 SFO wr 11 16 4 57 30 394 13.1 1 41 1.9 24.6 52.6%
2016 26 SFO WR 11 14 14 63 37 408 11.0 0 45 2.6 29.1 58.7%
Career 40 18 133 73 880 12.1 1 45 1.8 22.0

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/17/2017.

At best, Patton is a No. 4 receiver on an OK depth chart. And while the 49ers need all the help they can get at the position, it’s pretty clear Patton isn’t going to be a long-term answer.

So, instead of hoping Patton finally clears the hump, the Niners should free up the roster spot and allow younger players like DeAndre Smelter and Aaron Burbridge time to see more reps both in camp and the regular season.

Hopefully the latter two don’t develop a running-the-wrong-way habit either.