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5 players who need a strong training camp to stay on 49ers’ roster

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers runs in for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers runs in for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on between plays during the game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Kendrick Bourne #84 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on between plays during the game against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Wide Receiver Kendrick Bourne

Usually, if you lead your team in receiving yards in any particular season, you stand a good chance of hanging around the next year, barring being a cap casualty.

But that’s not the case for third-year wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, whose 487 receiving yards led all 49ers wideouts. After all, 487 yards isn’t exactly top-tier production.

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In fairness to Bourne, none of San Francisco’s wide receivers provided much by way of the stat department. Yet the Niners made some serious changes at the position, bringing in two rookies — Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd — and inking veteran pass catcher Jordan Matthews.

Matthews, 6-foot-3, immediately becomes a red-zone presence, which is an area the 49ers struggled in last season. While all four of Bourne’s touchdowns came within the red zone, 16 of Matthews’ 22 scores have come within this area, too.

And Matthews is a player capable of being used in the slot, which serves to increase his versatility.

Both Bourne and Matthews had some standout moments during OTAs, which is great for competition.

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But with the 49ers likely to keep just one of these two receivers, Bourne will need to have an exceptional training camp to convince Kyle Shanahan he’s worth a roster spot.