Niner Noise
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NFL free agency: Ranking the top 5 wide receivers on the 49ers’ target list

By Peter Panacy

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 05: Sammy Watkins #12 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown against the New York Giants in the second quarter against the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 5, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 05: Sammy Watkins #12 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a touchdown against the New York Giants in the second quarter against the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 5, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 20: Allen Robinson #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 20, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 20: Allen Robinson #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 20, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Niner Noise ranks the top five wide receiver targets for the San Francisco 49ers in 2018 NFL free agency. Which players make the most sense for the red and gold this upcoming season?

There’s a serious chance the San Francisco 49ers don’t sign a high-profile wide receiver when NFL free agency kicks off on Mar. 14.

This was an argument explored by 49ers.com’s Joe Fann not long after the 2017 season came to a close. With Pierre Garçon returning from a neck injury, Marquise Goodwin having a career year and slot receiver Trent Taylor flashing plenty of promise, spending money on a free agent doesn’t seem to be quite as pressing.

But it doesn’t cross off the need entirely.

The 49ers are going to be enticed by more than a few receivers in NFL free agency this offseason. Ideally, the Niners — armed with a league-leading $115 million in salary cap space — are able to grab a true No. 1 wide receiver.

With an elite-type wideout on the roster, San Francisco’s receiving corps, with the aforementioned names, looks pretty intimidating.

Let’s take a look, and rank, the five best NFL free agency targets for the 49ers at the position.

And no, the list doesn’t include Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry. He’ll be too expensive, and Taylor is already a nice slot option.