Niner Noise
FanSided

Predicting 49ers’ 2019 depth chart at wide receiver

By Matt Stephenson

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field after injuring his knee during their NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field after injuring his knee during their NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers scores on a 55 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

With the San Francisco 49ers adding to their wide receiver corps via free agency and the 2019 NFL Draft, Niner Noise predicts what the depth chart might look like for the upcoming season.

The San Francisco 49ers wide receivers struggled to gain ground during 2018, with no receiver surpassing 500 yards for the season — something that should be fairly easy to achieve. While the chopping and changing of quarterbacks can be somewhat attributable to that, it’s an area among the Niners offense that was still required to be addressed during the offseason.

The 49ers added veteran wide receiver Jordan Matthews during free agency, signing him to a one-year deal. The addition of Matthews should provide that vital veteran experience as well as offering that essential red-zone attack.

Further to Matthews, of course, was the addition of receivers Deebo Samuel with the No. 36 overall pick and Jalen Hurd with their third-round No. 67 overall pick. While Samuel was predicted to go the 49ers, Hurd was an unexpected surprise few saw coming.

While both Samuel and Hurd will be expected to make the final 53-man roster, along with some starters from the Niners’ 2018 season, several names will remain up in the air during training camp while head coach Kyle Shanahan makes his final decisions on who he wants to bring forward with him.

With Shanahan likely wanting to correct the general underwhelming performance from the wideouts last season, expect some names that 49ers fans have become accustomed to know to face being cut prior to the start of the regular season.

Add to that the fact Shanahan has expressed his opinion that it is probable he will be utilizing a slew of running backs, all capable pass catchers, along with tight ends George Kittle and Kaden Smith, and there could be quite the shake up at the wide receiver depth chart.

That being said, I break down a list of six possible candidates looking to secure a position on the 49ers’ roster. While some of you will agree and others will disagree with the six players I have selected, a lot of it will come down to how players on the roster bubble perform over the coming months.