Niner Noise
FanSided

5 bubble-watch players who make the 49ers’ 53-man roster

By Robert Smith

May 5, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Noble Nwachukwu (64) and defensive lineman Villami Latu (92) and defensive lineman James Duberg (90) and defensive lineman Jamar Simpkins (93) wait for a drill during the 49ers Rookie Minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Noble Nwachukwu (64) and defensive lineman Villami Latu (92) and defensive lineman James Duberg (90) and defensive lineman Jamar Simpkins (93) wait for a drill during the 49ers Rookie Minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (18) rushes with the football against Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) during the third quarter at Levis Stadium Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver DeAndre Smelter (18) rushes with the football against Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) during the third quarter at Levis Stadium Seahawks defeated the 49ers 25-23. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Wide Receiver DeAndre Smelter

At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, the 2015 fourth-round pick from Georgia Tech has something other 49ers receivers don’t — size. And with size-11 hands and athletic ability, wide receiver DeAndre Smelter has the potential to be an impact player.

Smelter’s athleticism enticed MLB’s Minnesota Twins to draft him in 2010, but he decided to play baseball for Georgia Tech for three seasons until he switched to football for the next two years.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

In 2014, he suffered an ACL tear against Georgia. After rehabbing the knee injury for a full season, and even being released and re-signed by San Francisco, he has not had a breakout moment.

So, with a new coaching staff and a return to health, his opportunity to shine is now.

With Aaron Burbridge the only other wide receiver over 6-foot-0, Smelter has a chance to make an impact as a red-zone threat, an area the Niners have struggled with over the past few seasons.

Smelter showed an ability to win contested balls while at Georgia Tech, and although lacking breakaway speed, his hands and stature remind some of former 49ers wideout Anquan Boldin.

With Pierre Garcon likely to be the No. 1 receiver in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, the team will be looking for one of the other receivers (Marquise Goodwin, Smelter, Aldrick Robinson, Jeremy Kerley, Trent Taylor) to step up and become the secondary option for quarterback Brian Hoyer.

With Smelter’s physicality and great blocking ability, he can affect the productivity of the offense in multiple ways.

The team has brought in a slew of players to compete for spots in this innovative offense, and Smelter finally has the chance to prove that bringing him back was a smart decision.