49ers Draft: Wide Receiver — Prospecting for Red-Zone Gold
By Jonah Burros
Receivers In House
In the first weeks of free agency, the 49ers released their No. 1 receiver for the last few years, Torrey Smith, and added nine receiving threats comprised of five wide receivers, a tight end, two halfbacks and a fullback.
FB Kyle Juszczyk was the premier pass-catching fullback in the league during his stint with the Baltimore Ravens. HB Tim Hightower has made his living being a dual-threat runner and has played for Kyle Shanahan before. HB DuJuan Harris was re-signed and had his best moments last year receiving the ball out of the backfield.
TE Logan Paulsen was brought in to add to the tight end group. He has mostly been used as a blocking TE but at 6-foot-5 and 268 pounds, he can be a big-bodied receiving threat in the end zone and had his best years in this capacity with Shanahan in Washington.
The five wide receivers brought in are an assortment of different types ranging from speedsters to possession-style route-runners.
Most notably was WR Pierre Garcon, a 6-foot-0, 200-pound route-running, possession specialist well known for playing aggressive and never dropping the ball. He will be placed at the top of San Francisco’s receiving roster, especially with his deep understanding and love for Shanahan’s system.
The next pass catcher that was signed was speedster Marquise Goodwin. A smaller-bodied receiver with tremendous speed. Standing at 5-foot-9 and 187 pounds, Goodwin posted a 4.27 40-yard dash at NFL Scouting Combine but has had injury issues the past two years.
His raw speed and athleticism are what made him attractive after adding Garcon. Goodwin is a burner, who can open up underneath routes and can also be used in a number of gadget plays.
Goodwin was not the only speed brought to the Bay Area.
Aldrick Robinson, former Atlanta Falcons WR and backup to All-Pro WR Julio Jones is also a fast downfield option that is very familiar with the Shanahan system. At 5-foot-10 and 187 pounds, Robinson is not a big red-zone target but has breakaway speed and knowledge.
2016 49ers WR standout Jeremy Kerley was rewarded with a new contract after his efforts last year.
Kerley became the go-to guy in last year’s system after just a week to prepare out of free agency. At 5-foot-9 and 187 pounds, he is another receiver without size but shows good hands, route running and run-after-the-catch ability.
DeAndre Carter was signed early in the offseason, due to him not playing for any team last year. He was an interesting addition because of his enormous lack of NFL playing time. But Carter is a fantastic practice-squad guy. He had an impressive college career at Sacramento State and is another smaller high-speed guy at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds.
At the WR position, the 49ers also have retained six players still on the roster who are currently under contract from previous years. They are:
- Aaron Burbridge 6-foot-1, 208 lbs.
- Chris Harper 5-foot-11, 185 lbs.
- Rashad Ross 6-foot-0, 180 lbs.
- Eric Rogers 6-foot-3, 210 lbs.
- Bruce Ellington 5-foot-9, 197 lbs.
- DeAndre Smelter 6-foot-2, 227 lbs.
Out of this group I like Burbridge and Rogers to have the best chances of making the team. Burbridge was a steady possession receiver in college and could develop. Rogers was an All Star in the Canadian Football League and signed with San Francisco last year after putting up huge numbers in 2015.
Unfortunately, Rogers suffered and ACL injury in training camp and we never got to see the goods. His highlights from his CFL days are worth a look.
Altogether, the 49ers have 11 WRs on the roster, speed and special teams versatility seem to have been addressed.
Garcon is an excellent WR but is best suited as a No. 2 with someone else demanding more coverage. He is an effective possession player, who can move the chains for you, who is currently surrounded by shorter, speed players.
The glaring holes in this group are the true No. 1 and a big-bodied red-zone threat. A true No. 1 is always a red-zone threat, so we can boil this down to more red-zone threats overall. If this is indeed what the 49ers are seeing, then there is an idea of what they might be looking for in the draft.