San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting offense in 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Garrett Celek #88 after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Garrett Celek #88 after Celek caught a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 20: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a 60 yard pass in the second quarter during the game against the San Francisco 49ers on September 20, 2015 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 20: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a 60 yard pass in the second quarter during the game against the San Francisco 49ers on September 20, 2015 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Boundary Wide Receivers: Antonio Brown, Dante Pettis

Slot Receiver: Richie James

Tight End: George Kittle

San Francisco’s leading wide receiver last year was Kendrick Bourne with just 487 receiving yards in 2018. Veteran wideout Marquise Goodwin, after a breakout 2017 campaign, failed to come close to replicating his efforts last season, largely due to injuries and setbacks.

Both Bourne and Goodwin are likely destined for non-starting roles in 2019, at least according to Kyle Shanahan (h/t Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area).

While soon-to-be second-year pro Dante Pettis should see an increased role this year, the 49ers need to make a big splash at the position somehow. Two names come up, the New York Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown.

There’s a lot more offseason buzz surrounding Brown and the 49ers than with Beckham, and one could argue the former could be had with the Niners’ Round 2 NFL Draft pick in 2019 (No. 36 overall).

Sure, Brown will turn 31 years old before the regular season begins. But the six-time Pro Bowler would be a tremendous weapon in Shanahan’s offense, for sure.

Meanwhile, slot receiver Richie James is far more explosive than his counterpart, 2017 draft-pick Trent Taylor.

And tight end George Kittle set records in 2018. No need to change anything there.