San Francisco 49ers: Creating the ideal starting offense in 2019
By Peter Panacy
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.