49ers: Ranking Positional Priorities for the 2017 NFL Draft

5. Receiver

San Francisco’s situation at receiver has been drastically improved via free agency.

The Niners ridded themselves of a Torrey Smith contract that was nowhere close to being justified, let continual source of frustration Quinton Patton walk and brought in players who have the tools to make an impact in Kyle Shanahan’s system.

Pierre Garcon is far from one of the top receivers in the league but he is a legitimate NFL starter who has produced consistently and can fill the void left by Anquan Boldin’s 2015 departure.

Marqise Goodwin gives the 49ers a burner who can stretch the field and Aldrick Robinson, like Garcon, arrives with familiarity in Shanahan’s scheme.

Both Goodwin and Robinson, along with the re-signed Jeremy Kerley — the best receiver on the team last season — provide the Niners with options in the slot, meaning San Francisco will not have to pin hope on a player in Bruce Ellington who has rarely been healthy.

The 49ers do still lack another receiver to play on the outside, however, and whether they go after a physically dominant pass-catcher who can bully people in the red zone or a slighter but speedier wideout capable of making things happen after the catch, finding another starter to complement Garcon should rank very highly on their list of requirements.