Predicting the 10 players who wind up on the 49ers practice squad
By Peter Panacy
No. 5: Wide Receiver Victor Bolden Jr.
Assuming the 49ers keep six wide receivers on their 53-man roster, at least five of those are likely filled.
Leading the group are receivers Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin, backed up by Jeremy Kerley, Aldrick Robinson and rookie Trent Taylor. The final spot is going to be a tough choice to make, as players like Kendrick Bourne, Aaron Burbridge, DeAndre Smelter and Victor Bolden Jr. are vying for a chance.
Bolden, a 5-foot-8 slot-type receiver out of Oregon State, also came to San Francisco as a UDFA. The one thing working against him, though, is his size. Or lack thereof.
The 49ers already boast the NFL’s shortest receiving crop, as Niner Noise’s Chris Wilson broke down earlier.
While Bolden has made some amazing highlight-reel catches in training camp — like this one — it’s not likely San Francisco has room for another similarly built, smallish receiver.
Based off this, Bolden won’t make roster cuts but should be a very strong candidate to land on the practice squad.
If the Niners do elect to keep Bolden on the 53-man roster, it will likely be because of his return abilities. Like this particular preseason play.