Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 10 players who should see more playing time over the rest of 2017

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers smiles after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers smiles after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers is congratulated by teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers is congratulated by teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Wide Receiver Kendrick Bourne

While Pierre Garçon’s injury could open up a spot on offense for someone like Victor Bolden Jr., the bigger opportunity should go to fellow undrafted rookie wideout Kendrick Bourne.

Like Bolden, Bourne flashed some promise during the preseason, hauling in six receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown.

But where Bourne gets a bit of a nod over Bolden is the former’s size. The former Eastern Washington product stands at 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, where Garçon is 6-foot-0 and 211 pounds.

Considering the Niners entered this season with the league’s shortest receivers, on average, putting Bourne in a spot to make an impact on offense would be a wise and promising move.

More from Niner Noise

Few, if any, of these depth-chart promotions would significantly turn the team’s season around. But if San Francisco can find and develop a gem, or two, between now and the end of 2017, the experiment would be worth the effort.

A couple could stand a chance to make an impact next season or at least wind up serving valuable depth roles for the team in coming years.

Next: Predicting 49ers' 2018 starting lineup post Jimmy Garoppolo trade

Right now, the 49ers need all the developmental help they can get.