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NFL free agency: 5 wide receivers the 49ers can consider for 2018

By Peter Panacy

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Paul Richardson #10 of the Seattle Seahawks beats cornerback Rashard Robinson #33 of the San Francisco 49ers to score a 9 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 17: Wide receiver Paul Richardson #10 of the Seattle Seahawks beats cornerback Rashard Robinson #33 of the San Francisco 49ers to score a 9 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Sammy Watkins #12 of the Los Angeles Rams stretches the ball across the goal line for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Sammy Watkins #12 of the Los Angeles Rams stretches the ball across the goal line for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers may be on the market for wide receivers this offseason, and we explore five possible targets in NFL free agency for 2018.

There’s an argument the San Francisco 49ers may not need a wide receiver this offseason — one pointed out, via Joe Fann on 49ers.com, last month.

After all, the combination of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and head coach Kyle Shanahan helped turn current Niners wideout Marquise Goodwin into nearly a 1,000-yard receiver in 2017. Tack on a healthy return by veteran WR Pierre Garçon (neck), along with a full year’s development from slot receiver Trent Taylor, and you can see why.

At least to a point.

Whether it be via the 2018 NFL Draft or free agency, the Niners may still want to upgrade this position. The latter, free agency, will be the focal point of this article.

Reports state the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to franchise tag many fans’ No. 1 wide receiver target, Allen Robinson, if they’re unable to reach a long-term deal this offseason. So it’s likely he’s crossed off the wish list.

Yet there are some other options, including less-known ones to consider.

Here are five of them.