Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 49ers’ 2019 offensive starters with NFL Draft picks

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Alfred Morris #46 in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 09: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball off to Alfred Morris #46 in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers makes a catch against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver

X-Receiver: Deebo Samuel

Z-Receiver: Dante Pettis

Slot: Trent Taylor

Things get a bit more complicated and open to predictions at wide receiver. And there’s a lot of NFL Draft conjecture here, suggesting the 49ers are active in pursuing South Carolina wideout Deebo Samuel, who played under Kyle Shanahan during the 2019 Senior Bowl and had an impressive week.

Samuel’s physicality and strength make him a good candidate to match up against defensive backs looking to jam him at the line of scrimmage — something X-receivers have to deal with a lot. True, it’s a job free-agent pickup Jordan Matthews could handle, but he’s only around on a one-year deal. A long-term option is needed.

Second-year pro Dante Pettis should start, especially after finishing 2018 on a strong note. But he’s less physical at the line of scrimmage and would benefit from his quick footwork and running in motion.

And if you’re feeling picky, just know Shanahan doesn’t deploy his wideouts in a traditional means.

San Francisco’s situation at the slot position also gets provocative, namely with a pending position battle between pass catchers Trent Taylor and Richie James. James is far more explosive and fast, yes. But Taylor, who dealt with a back injury for most of 2018, has a much stronger rapport with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

That comes into play early in the season and likely winds up being the difference.