49ers Free Agency Needs: Breaking Down the Wide Receiver Position

The San Francisco 49ers just released Torrey Smith, which prompts Niner Noise to take a harder look at the wide receiver position just before NFL free agency. And that’s what will do in our latest position-by-position installment.

Some might have seen it as a shock, but the San Francisco 49ers were smart to part ways with wide receiver Torrey Smith just before NFL free agency starts on March 9.

Smith, who went through two-consecutive career-low years in Santa Clara, wasn’t the right fit for former head coach Chip Kelly’s uptempo scheme. And apparently he’s not a fit for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s either.

Nevertheless, the receiver-hungry Niners have yet another void to fill on the roster.

San Francisco 49ers

In this free-agency preview, Niner Noise takes a look at San Francisco’s wide receiver situation. Considering the need, it’s likely the 49ers will be tied to more than just a handful of free-agent wideouts this offseason.

Some of the names are big. Guys like Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall are among the bigger names.

Meanwhile, the 49ers brought back slot receiver Jeremy Kerley on a three-year deal. It didn’t take much to see Kerley playing hard on a bad offense and Smith took visibly took plays off.

So as things stand, here’s looking at the remaining receiving corps:

Jeremy Kerley — 2017 Cap Hit: $3.5 million (est.), signed through 2019
Bruce Ellington — 2017 Cap Hit: $808,607, signed through 2017
Aaron Burbridge — 2017 Cap Hit: $565,089, signed through 2019
Rashad Ross — 2017 Cap Hit: $540,000, signed through 2018
DeAndre Smelter — 2017 Cap Hit: $540,000, signed through 2017
Eric Rogers — 2017 Cap Hit: $527,500, signed through 2017
DeAndre Carter — 2017 Cap Hit: $465,000, signed through 2018

2017 free agents — Quinton Patton (UFA), Rod Streater (UFA), Chris Harper (ERFA)

Projecting 49ers Roster Moves

One of the more curious questions will be what to do with four-year pro Quinton Patton, who is an unrestricted free agent.

Patton tweeted out some ominous messages this week, including this one:

https://twitter.com/PattonBoy_11/status/838852151614976000

Judging by the Twitter rant, it looks as if Patton won’t be coming back. And it isn’t as if his production warrants a long-term deal with San Francisco anyway.

Kerley will likely occupy the slot position and hopefully come close to the kind of production he posted last year, which ended up being the best within the Niners receiving corps. This could push fellow wideout Bruce Ellington on the roster bubble during training camp, but he will likely be there for the competition alone.

As for the rest? Well, all one needs to do is take a look at the contracts and see the 49ers aren’t spending a lot of money here. Not yet, at least.

Projecting Free-Agent Moves

A number of names pop up on the potential 49ers interest list.

One of the chief names has been former Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery. But Jeffery hasn’t posted more than 1,000 receiving yards since 2014, and his four-game suspension for a PED violation has to raise some red flags.

Equally intriguing are former Washington Redskins wideouts DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon. It’s likely the Redskins try to re-sign one of the two, so perhaps the Niners splurge here to add an instant No. 1 to the roster.

Another move could be landing former New York Jets receiver Brandon Marshall, who has been far more productive than Jeffery over a much-longer career.

Reports are suggesting Marshall wants to stay on the East Coast though, so it doesn’t seem likely San Francisco will be a preferred destination.

Money talks, however.

Projected 2017 Depth Chart

Until free agency and the NFL Draft pan out, it’s almost impossible to gauge how the wide receiver group will look.

Since Shanahan and general manager John Lynch were willing to part ways with Smith, we can assume all receiving positions are, essentially, up for grabs.

More from Niner Noise

Complicating the issue is the fact the Niners have zero quarterbacks on their current roster. Free agents, especially of the receiving variety, are well aware of this. And it could be a potential drawback for landing notable talent.

Still, look for the 49ers to bring in a couple of free-agent receivers this offseason. Perhaps one big name and one who would fill a secondary role.

Additionally, it would be more than wise for San Francisco to look at options in the draft.

Next: 5 Free-Agent Wide Receivers the 49ers Should Consider

So stay tuned, Niners Faithful. There is far too much yet to be determined at this position.