Projecting the 49ers offensive depth chart after 2018 NFL Draft
By Bobby Horne
Wide Receiver
Starters: Pierre Garcon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor
Backup: Dante Pettis, Kendrick Bourne
Depth: Victor Bolden Jr., Aldrick Robinson, Aaron Burbridge, Richie James, Max McCaffrey, DeAndre Carter
What was once the weakest point of the 49ers roster has now transformed itself into a strong point. In a year and a half, Kyle Shanahan and Co. have built a foundation of guys who fit what the Niners do in every way.
2017 saw the emergence of speedster Marquise Goodwin who racked up 962 yards on 56 catches in his first year with the team. We saw surprising rookies Trent Taylor and Kendrick Bourne look like multi-year veterans down the stretch.
In 2018 we will finally get to see the Jimmy Garoppolo-to-Pierre Garcon connection, as Garcon had his 2017 season cut short due to injury.
Newcomer and second-round draft selection, Dante Pettis, was the nation’s best return man in 2017 at the University of Washington, but will bring a lot more than just return skills. Pettis has tremendous route-running ability and plays a lot larger than his frame might show.
Pettis plays outside here, and hauls in a contested catch on a vert route. He has this ability, even at 186 lbs. pic.twitter.com/A8kSv9Fubi
— 49ers HUB (@49ersHub) April 30, 2018
With the way Shanahan utilizes his receiver sets, I would expect to see solid contribution from the top five guys on this list in 2018.