49ers’ 2019 ‘Who Is?’ series: Wide receiver Shawn Poindexter

The San Francisco 49ers picked up former Arizona undrafted wide receiver Shawn Poindexter in 2019, hoping to make something of his incredible size advantage.

First-year San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Shawn Poindexter has a lot of things working against his favor this season.

For starters, Poindexter is an undrafted free agent — one of many the Niners picked up following the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Draft. While San Francisco has some recent success turning UDFAs into gems (look no further than running back Matt Breida, for example), it doesn’t change the fact undrafted rookies face a massive climb to crack a 53-man roster in year one.

On top of that, the 49ers stockpiled their wide receivers during the offseason, bringing aboard the veteran, Jordan Matthews, while also adding drafted rookies Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd.

All three are likely to get in Poindexter’s way. But there’s a good deal to like about the former Wildcat.

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/24/2019.

Poindexter’s collegiate production doesn’t jump off the table, of course. But that’s not what matters among most UDFAs.

Instead, it’s Poindexter’s size. At 6-foot-5, Poindexter is, along with Hurd, the tallest of San Francisco’s wide receivers.

Can’t coach that.

But if the Niners coach up Poindexter some more, what will his chances and outlook be this season?

Why Shawn Poindexter Improves in 2019

For starters, that height and his 218-pound frame means something pretty significant: Poindexter is a red-zone threat right out of the gate.

Last year, the Niners ranked dead last in the league in red-zone touchdown efficiency. A history of shorter wideouts likely influenced this problem, so Poindexter is already a move in the right direction.

Some big-bodied wideouts don’t play to their height. Poindexter, however, has already shown great hands and has a knack for fighting for the ball.

That’s important in the red zone, and he’ll need to use that particular skill to stick around.

Why Shawn Poindexter Regresses

Poindexter has the size, but he lacks the speed — a valuable trait in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. The wideout ran a 4.68 40-yard time at his pro day, which isn’t great. Although his 7.03-second three-cone drill helps matters a bit.

Yet Poindexter isn’t particularly effective at creating yards after the catch, which is another facet of Shanahan’s offense.

It’s possible Shanahan’s system helps Poindexter develop this particular skill. But it’s just as possible the latter won’t make the cut based on his inability to do so during his collegiate career into the pros.

Chances of Making the 49ers’ 53-Man Roster in 2019

San Francisco’s reinforcement of its wide receiver corps works against Poindexter’s chances. In all likelihood, the Niners are putting Poindexter in a position to push Hurd in training camp — a battle the latter is almost guaranteed to win.

And there’s little other room on the roster for Poindexter to stick around, even if he somehow wows on offense or impresses enough in training camp.

As such, Poindexter is just above being a long shot to make the 53-man roster in Week 1. Perhaps he’s on the weaker side of the weak-side roster bubble, but only his size keeps him there.

That said, his height and raw skills are there and workable. It’s possible, perhaps even likely, the 49ers keep from featuring him a lot during the preseason in order to stash him on the practice squad.

That’s probably where Poindexter winds up in 2019.