Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 most surprising roster cuts of 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Aaron Burbridge #13 of the San Francisco 49ers leads teammates onto the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 24: Aaron Burbridge #13 of the San Francisco 49ers leads teammates onto the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 01: Aaron Burbridge #16 of the Michigan State Spartans smiles after making a first down during a game against the Baylor Bears during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on January 1, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Glenn/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 01: Aaron Burbridge #16 of the Michigan State Spartans smiles after making a first down during a game against the Baylor Bears during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on January 1, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sarah Glenn/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Wide Receiver Aaron Burbridge

Third-year wide receiver Aaron Burbridge was more a victim of circumstance than anything else.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco’s receiving corps was already deep entering training camp. Four wideouts — Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin, Trent Taylor and Dante Pettis — were all but guaranteed roster spots. Second-year pro Kendrick Bourne stood a good chance, and rookie Richie James looked excellent in both camp and the preseason.

Burbridge hasn’t offered much of anything, offensively, since being drafted back in 2016. Where he won, however, was on special teams — a fact Kyle Shanahan pointed out earlier this offseason.

“With Burb, it started with special teams,” Shanahan said, via the team’s website. “When I came here and interviewed, a number of special teams coaches spoke so highly of him. He was very well respected in the special teams world around the league and when you do that, there’s usually a place for you in this league.”

It was likely a scenario the 49ers would keep no more than six receivers on their 53-man roster, however, meaning Burbridge was the odd man out.