49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Wide receiver Steven Dunbar
By Peter Panacy
Niner Noise’s 2018 “Who Is? series shifts focus to San Francisco 49ers undrafted free-agent wide receiver Steven Dunbar and sees what chances he has to make the roster this season.
If there’s one thing rookie San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Steven Dunbar has on his side, it’s his height.
At 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, Dunbar is currently the tallest wide receiver on the Niners’ 90-man offseason roster. This will ultimately be his biggest asset, considering San Francisco fielded the NFL’s shortest crop of receivers last season.
Dunbar came the 49ers by the way of undrafted free agency, landing a three-year rookie contract.
| Rece | Rece | Rece | Rece | Scri | Scri | Scri | Scri | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2014 | Houston | American | FR | WR | 6 | 20 | 286 | 14.3 | 0 | 20 | 286 | 14.3 | 0 |
| *2015 | Houston | American | SO | WR | 12 | 31 | 382 | 12.3 | 3 | 31 | 382 | 12.3 | 3 |
| *2016 | Houston | American | JR | WR | 13 | 53 | 692 | 13.1 | 5 | 53 | 692 | 13.1 | 5 |
| *2017 | Houston | American | SR | WR | 12 | 76 | 1070 | 14.1 | 3 | 76 | 1070 | 14.1 | 3 |
| Career | Houston | 180 | 2430 | 13.5 | 11 | 180 | 2430 | 13.5 | 11 |
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 5/22/2018.
The Niners looked at a number of different factors over Dunbar’s collegiate tenure at Houston. Most notably, his 76-catch, 1,070-yard campaign in 2017 was pretty impressive, even for a small-school program.
And considering San Francisco finished 27th in red-zone touchdown efficiency last year, it’s understandable head coach Kyle Shanahan would be drawn to a possible red-zone threat.
Especially if the 49ers didn’t have to use a draft pick to acquire one.
This won’t guarantee Dunbar makes the 53-man roster out of training camp, though. Wide receiver is a crowded position, and the Niners have one opening on the depth chart at best.
To get there, let’s take a look at what Dunbar will have to do.
Why Steven Dunbar Improves in 2018
Dunbar used his size to his advantage at the college level, and there’s a good deal of indication he’ll be able to continue this trajectory in the pros. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein pointed out how Dunbar vastly improved his catching ability, while also emerging as a winner in contested catches.
You can get an idea of this from an amazing catch at the East West Shrine Game (h/t Steelers Depot):
Steven Dunbar catch #ShrineGame pic.twitter.com/Yu6NSXM0mq
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) January 20, 2018
Additionally, Zierlein noted how Dunbar’s route-running abilities are also well above average. This should play well into Shanahan’s play calling.
If Dunbar can combine physicality, route running and winning with size in the red zone, he should see his chances of making the 53-man roster increase.
Why He Regresses
While route running is a top need for Shanahan, speed is equally as important.
This isn’t a trait Dunbar has. He ran a 4.78 40-yard dash time at his pro day, which is slow even for many of the bigger-bodied wide receivers. And while his height works to his advantage, Shanahan’s scheme isn’t predicated on winning the 50-50 matchups. Rather, the offense is more about creating separation and getting open.
Dunbar’s lack of speed won’t help him here. And while he worked well to improve his hands, the next level of competition will ultimately be the true test of how he fits at the NFL level.
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Remember, pro level corners are going to be bigger, stronger, faster and won’t hesitate to play press when considering Dunbar’s lack of separation speed.
Chances of Making the 49ers’ 53-Man Roster
A year ago, wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Victor Bolden were the surprise 53-man roster additions. Bourne, in particular, was a pretty notable standout, recording 16 catches for 257 yards his rookie season.
The Niners have shown a knack for finding talent either late in the NFL Draft or outside of it altogether.
It’s possible Dunbar is the next player on this list.
One of the problems, though, is San Francisco’s receiving corps, already deep, added two more receivers in the draft — Dante Pettis and Richie James. They’ll get more looks than Dunbar during training camp, which makes the former Houston receiver’s chances slighter.
Next: Checking out too-early 49ers' mock NFL Drafts for 2019
Right now, Dunbar is a long shot to make the roster. Yet if there are some notable moments this offseason, don’t count him out from being the next undrafted free-agent surprise.