San Francisco 49ers: Grading each position heading into 2018 training camp

Key Additions: Dante Pettis, Richie James

One might think the 49ers will have to get by with a crop of No. 2 and No. 3 wide receivers on their roster this season.

In fairness, though, Kyle Shanahan’s play calling is designed to get his receivers open, valuing speed and separation over the big-play abilities that make the well-known receivers around the league so famous.

So yes, a receiving corps consisting of Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor and rookie Dante Pettis should do the trick.

Case in point, Goodwin never accumulated more than 431 receiving yards prior to 2017. He nearly reached 1,000 under Shanahan. Meanwhile, Garçon was at the 500-yard mark when he suffered a season-ending neck injury halfway through the season before being paired with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

In Pettis, picked up in Round 2 of the draft, the Niners acquired one of the best route runners in college football last year. He might need some time to develop, yet he’ll be exciting enough to watch this season.

The only thing keeping this group from an A-grade is the lack of a bona fide red-zone threat.

Hopefully Shanahan’s offense makes up for the difference.