San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who increased stock value at mandatory minicamp
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Wide Receiver Jordan Matthews
Another player competing amid a crowded position group is one of the Niners’ offseason free-agent pickups, wide receiver Jordan Matthews.
San Francisco 49ers
Matthews was one of the primary OTA standouts, too. So the fact he appears to be picking up where he left off earlier this month is a great sign for San Francisco’s receiving corps this offseason.
Per the Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s Grant Cohn:
"Caught a touchdown pass from [quarterback C.J.] Beathard in the red zone. Matthews ran a corner route. Beathard rolled out to his left and stared at Matthews, who was running toward the back pylon and was covered. Instead of staying covered, Matthews quickly broke away from the pylon and got open, and Beathard hit him for the touchdown. Veteran play by Matthews."
Matthews’ 6-foot-3 frame gives an element Kyle Shanahan’s wide receivers have largely lacked the past two seasons: size. And despite two down years with the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles in 2017 and 2018, respectively, Matthews looks as if he’ll spark something of a comeback if he maintains this current momentum.
Plus, the 49ers have the option to experiment with him as a big-slot receiver.