San Francisco 49ers: Who is wide receiver Aaron Burbridge?
By Peter Panacy
Niner Noise’s annual “Who Is?” series on 2017 San Francisco 49ers players takes a look at wide receiver Aaron Burbridge and how he fits in with this season’s plans under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The San Francisco 49ers haven’t exactly made the best decisions at wide receiver over the last few NFL Drafts.
Former Niners general manager Trent Baalke mostly shied away from taking wideouts early in the draft, especially after the A.J. Jenkins gaffe back in 2012.
Instead, Baalke hoped a mid-to-late-round gem would wind up providing the answers.
San Francisco 49ers
Such was the hope when San Francisco tabbed former Michigan State receiver Aaron Burbridge in Round 6 of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Burbridge, with his 6-foot-0 and 210-pound frame, was a main reason then-Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook was a well-known draft commodity. The wide receiver frequently bailed Cook, and his inaccuracy, out with tough and physical grabs and a large catch radius.
Yet Burbridge’s size also means he’s not particularly the fastest receiver on the field. He logged only a 4.56 40-yard time during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, and his scouting reports never tout speed being a major attribute.
Burbridge didn’t exactly distinguish himself his rookie season either. Despite a shortage of playmaking receivers, Burbridge managed just seven receptions for 88 yards over 16 games.
And with a new coaching staff — under head coach Kyle Shanahan — now in town, Burbridge will be on the spot to prove he belongs.
Why He’ll Improve
One of the stronger points from Burbridge’s game is his ability in short and intermediate routes.
This is likely what we’ll see from quarterback Brian Hoyer, and Shanahan has little trouble scheming receivers to get open.
While San Francisco’s talent level is far from adequate, one should at least expect Niners receivers to post better numbers than the lowly stats shown from 2016.
Burbridge could wind up being a part of this equation. Offseason pickups like Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson, Trent Taylor and the re-signing of Jeremy Kerley make this a crowded position. Yet if Burbridge winds up making some serious headway in training camp and the preseason, it’s possible he cracks the roster.
Why He’ll Regress
Based off last year’s stats, Burbridge can’t dip much lower in production. Outside of not being active or on the team, of course.
Shanahan values speed over physicality — sure, coaches ideally like both — and this makes sense, provided the coach’s ability to draw up plays to get guys open. Yet Shanahan’s scheme is complex, vastly different than the one the 49ers ran under former head coach Chip Kelly last year. And also much different than what Burbridge enjoyed at Michigan State.
Those collegiate-style offenses won’t help Burbridge in his adjustment to Shanahan’s scheme.
And it isn’t as if Burbridge can bank on his speed, or lack thereof, to earn a roster spot by default.
What to Expect in 2017
Burbridge is a fringe player on the roster right now.
A crowded receiver group doesn’t bode well for a bubble-watch player carried over from the previous 49ers regime. Yet the Niners didn’t part ways with them when they easily could have, which means Burbridge will at least have a shot.
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Physicality and good route-running will be the only means by which Burbridge sticks around into the regular season.
One has to think his chances are slim to make the 53-man roster. If he does, it’s likely as a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver on the depth chart. And someone else from this cramped position would have to notably fall in the standings.
Next: 49ers' strengths, weaknesses and X-factors in 2017
Neither seem likely.