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Predicting What the San Francisco 49ers Starting Lineup Looks Like in 2018

By Peter Panacy

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) misses the catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Lev'i's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) misses the catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Lev’i’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receiver

Left Wide Receiver: Torrey Smith

Right Wide Receiver: free agent

Slot Receiver: NFL Draft pick

Veteran wideout Torrey Smith is signed through 2019, and it’s hard to see the 49ers unload him at any point until after the 2018 season. And he might actually be a good fit in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense anyway.

Related Story: 5 49ers Who Will Benefit Under Head Coach Kyle Shanahan

Everyone else though? Well…

Look for San Francisco to make some serious upgrades in this, and the following offseason.

A key free-agent target for 2017 might be current Chicago Bears wideout Alshon Jeffery, who would be a solid addition to the outside. He’ll be coveted though, and it wouldn’t be bad to see the Niners use one of their early picks in both the 2017 and/or 2018 NFL Drafts to upgrade the position.

Clemson’s Mike Williams is, with little argument, the best prospective receiver in this year’s draft. But he’s not the only one.

Still, there should be some major shakeups here between now and 2018.