Niner Noise
FanSided

Power ranking the 49ers’ 5 best position groups entering 2019

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 and defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers react after a defensive stop during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after a catch against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after a catch against the Chicago Bears during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Wide Receiver

It shouldn’t come as a surprise the 49ers needed to vastly revamp their wide receiver corps entering 2019. After all, no Niners wideout even reached 500 receiving yards a year ago.

So, what did the Niners do? Bring in 6-foot-3 veteran Jordan Matthews, followed by the NFL Draft additions of South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel and Baylor’s Jalen Hurd in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively.

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Samuel’s savvy footwork and physicality offer a ton of promise, making him an excellent fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Hurd, a bit more raw, is a former collegiate running back, turned wide receiver with the body of a tight end — intriguing, even if he needs a little development.

Matthews’ use is also of interest. Sixteen of his 22 touchdowns have come within the red zone, and San Francisco struggled here a season ago. Plus, Shanahan can use him in the slot as a big option, should his other choice there, Trent Taylor, not have a favorable matchup.

Taylor is looking to regain his 2017 rookie form after dealing with a back injury for most of 2018.

But the factor putting this underachieving position group last season is second-year pro Dante Pettis, who is poised for a massive breakout this year after averaging 71.8 catch yards per game over the last five contests a season ago.

If Pettis picks up where he left off late in 2018, he’ll emerge as a true No. 1 receiving contender.