Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Predicting each rookie’s role, stats for 2018

By Aaron Tan

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies rushes against the Washington State Cougars at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Dante Pettis #8 of the Washington Huskies rushes against the Washington State Cougars at Husky Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 29: Richie James #3 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders is pursued by Vontarius West #29 of the Florida International Golden Panthers as he runs with the ball during first quarter action on October 29, 2016 at FIU Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 29: Richie James #3 of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders is pursued by Vontarius West #29 of the Florida International Golden Panthers as he runs with the ball during first quarter action on October 29, 2016 at FIU Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver Richie James

Steal.

I’ll admit it. Prior to the draft, I have never heard of the name Richie James in my entire life. But after turning on the tape, I have a good feeling that a lot of people will begin hearing his name once September comes.

You might as well call Richie James “Taylor Gabriel 2.0.”

I say that because they are both relatively short receivers that are so quick and shifty on the field — true playmakers, who will thrive under Kyle Shanahan.

If you haven’t done so already, watch James’ highlight tape above. You’ll immediately see why both Shanahan and myself are so excited about this kid.

However, James will have to work his way up the depth chart first. He has Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis, Trent Taylor, Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon to compete with. It will be hard to get him on the field with the amount of depth that the 49ers have at the receiver position, but Shanahan would be wise to give James a lot of playing time.

I am predicting James will play in empty receiver sets this upcoming season and have about 300 receiving yards over the course of the year.