San Francisco 49ers: Lock in Richie James as the No. 6 wide receiver

Wide receiver was pretty deep for the San Francisco 49ers entering training camp. Out of the depth names, though, rookie Richie James has stood out the most and should be a lock to make the final cut on the Niners’ wideout depth chart in 2018.

Book it. Rookie wide receiver Richie James will make the San Francisco 49ers‘ 53-man roster in 2018.

Pretty impressive for a seventh-round NFL Draft pick out of Middle Tennessee State his first season.

Entering training camp, James was little more than an afterthought — a possible practice squad addition at best and someone who was going to have an uphill fight to make the regular-season roster.

Well, James has answered the call and then some.

Early on in camp, Niner Noise’s Aaron Tan pointed out how James was catching everything thrown his way even with multiple defenders around him. That trend has continued all the way up through the Niners’ first of two joint practices with the Houston Texans, where James and fellow 49ers wideout Trent Taylor managed some impressive grabs in 11-on-11 sessions, according to Niners Nation’s Jennifer Lee Chan:

Last week, during San Francisco’s exhibition opener against the Dallas Cowboys, James also managed to haul in the game-winning touchdown from seven yards out with just 18 seconds remaining in regulation:

Again, between two defenders.

San Francisco has some pretty solid depth at the position, which makes James’ ascent all the more impressive. Veteran wideouts Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin aren’t going anywhere. Neither are second-year pros Taylor and Kendrick Bourne. Additionally, the Niners’ second-round pick from this year’s draft, Dante Pettis, is a lock to make the roster.

Assuming head coach Kyle Shanahan keeps a maximum of six receivers on his 53-man roster, James has to be No. 6, right?

This, of course, would mean other receivers like Aldrick Robinson and Aaron Burbridge are pushed out of the equation. Anyone else left on San Francisco’s 90-man camp roster would have to be out of the running too.

Sure, there might be an argument the 5-foot-9 James is little more than a backup to Taylor, who’ll be expected to operate out of the slot this season. But don’t let that fool you. Shanahan has never made height a priority out of his receiving corps. What matters is the combination of both speed and separation abilities.

James has shown a knack for both during practices and in-game situations.

It would be an absolute shock if James didn’t wind up making the cut this season. And after such an impressive camp and preseason thus far, the Niners wouldn’t be able to stash him on the practice squad anyway. Another receiving-needy team would surely pick him up.

Once again, the Niners have shown a knack for hitting on late-round draft picks. James is the latest example.