Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Early look at 10 players on the 2018 roster bubble

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pushed out of bounds by Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pushed out of bounds by Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Aldrick Robinson #19 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Aldrick Robinson #19 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown against Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

No. 6: Wide Receiver Aldrick Robinson

When the 49ers hired Kyle Shanahan to be head coach, many of the offensive moves made were to grab free agents familiar with Shanahan’s offense.

Wide receiver Aldrick Robinson was one such player, having played under Shanahan with the Atlanta Falcons, previously.

Robinson had a moderate impact on San Francisco’s stat sheet this season, finishing 2017 with 19 catches for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Surely, his understanding of Shanahan’s complex system helped. But the majority of Niners receivers have that ability now, making Robinson something of an excess commodity.

The 49ers still need a true No. 1 wideout. If they’re able to land one, a top-four receiving corps would look something like this:

  1. No. 1 receiver
  2. Pierre Garçon
  3. Trent Taylor (slot)
  4. Marquise Goodwin

San Francisco could keep as many as six receivers on the roster, which helps Robinson’s chances some. But with other, younger receivers like Kendrick Bourne and Victor Bolden Jr. vying for spots, this will be a tougher challenge than initially thought.