Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers training camp 2018: 10 takeaways from Week 2

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 29: The San Francisco 49ers run their drills on the practice field during training camp at the 49ers practice facilities on July 29, 2003 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 29: The San Francisco 49ers run their drills on the practice field during training camp at the 49ers practice facilities on July 29, 2003 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 10: Richie James #3 of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders makes a reception against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 10: Richie James #3 of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders makes a reception against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

No. 7: 49ers Have a Battle at Slot Receiver

Second-year wide receiver Trent Taylor missed Week 1 of camp with a minor back injury, and rookie seventh-round draft pick Richie James was the primary beneficiary.

James has been a standout for most of camp. He has shown excellent separation in one-on-one drills, and there have been a few times where his abilities in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 matchups have been exemplary:

Quite the showing from a player many thought would be destined for the practice squad.

Taylor, however, emerged as a third-down weapon for San Francisco last season, hauling in 19 third-down receptions for a first down his rookie year — tied for ninth best in the league.

The 49ers are easing him back into practice. But based off the early signs, it’s looking as if he’s showing no setbacks from his back surgery.

It’s still early, but one might guess Taylor gets the nod over James on the depth chart. But keeping James off the depth chart altogether would be a stretch, particularly because James’ standout abilities in camp are unlikely to go unnoticed by those other teams in need of slot production.

San Francisco would be wise to make James a 2018 roster addition.