Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Analyzing the 2018 rookie NFL Draft class one year later

By Jeremy Wohlfart

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass and runs for a first down against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass and runs for a first down against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after a catch against Tedric Thompson #33 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after a catch against Tedric Thompson #33 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Dante Pettis, Wide Receiver

2018 ranking prediction: 3rd 

"Clearly, the 49ers coveted Dante Pettis, given they moved up for him in the second round, which makes me think they see him as an immediate contributor and weapon for Jimmy Garoppolo. Yet another returner (seeing the competition at camp for the punt and kick return jobs will be interesting) who can contribute there while navigating a stacked receiving corp, Pettis screams “weapon.” Not to mention his nine punt return touchdowns, a NCAA record… …I don’t think Pettis starts as a rookie, but he will be on the field as a dynamic playmaker on offense and special teams. If he and Garoppolo develop instant chemistry, this will be an inspired move from the 49ers to trade up."

2018 production:

Injuries did indeed push wide receiver Dante Pettis into the starting role for the majority of his rookie season (he started seven games, but was injured in the middle of the season plus the season finale, and was only active for 12).

While early returns were mixed, Pettis absolutely exploded after the 49ers’ bye week. The team had obviously spent the time figuring out how to integrate him more fully into the offense, and it paid dividends.

Pettis did take punt returns, but he was taken off those in the effort to get him more involved in the offense. The end result was he started the last six games he played in and recorded 24 catches for 371 yards and four touchdowns.

2019 status:

Pettis looks set for a more heavy role in the offense in 2019, with the 49ers releasing Pierre Garcon and their desire to reduce Marquise Goodwin‘s role into more of a deep-threat specialist. Goodwin’s reps will be reduced and some of those will go to Pettis.

The big challenge for Pettis is chemistry. While he did show some connection with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (seven targets before Garoppolo went down with an ACL tear in Week 3), the bulk of his production came with the backup quarterback, Nick Mullens.

If he develops that same chemistry with Garoppolo, the sky could be the limited for the talented receiver.