Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers 2019 training camp: 10 things to watch during opening weekend

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 and Chris Culliver #29 of the San Francisco 49ers go up against each other in a 7 on 7 drill during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: Ronald Johnson #88 and Chris Culliver #29 of the San Francisco 49ers go up against each other in a 7 on 7 drill during practice at the San Francisco 49ers training facility on July 30, 2011 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 23: Wide receiver Jordan Matthews #80 of the Philadelphia Eagles warsm up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field on September 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 23: Wide receiver Jordan Matthews #80 of the Philadelphia Eagles warsm up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field on September 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

No. 7: How the 49ers’ Wide Receiver Depth Chart Pans Out

Outside of the pass rush, the 49ers spent more effort revamping their wide receiver corps than anywhere else.

And it’s a good thing, too.

Last year, no San Francisco wideout reached 500 receiving yards. For an offense that ranked in the middle of the pack, yardage-wise, that speaks pretty lowly against this position group. And it certainly influenced the changes entering 2019.

Deebo Samuel, Jalen Hurd and Jordan Matthews are among the high-profile names. The two rookies, Samuel and Hurd, are all but guaranteed roster spots, given the Niners used second- and third-round draft picks on them, respectively.

Yet Matthews is going to battle it out with the 49ers’ leading wide receiver last year, Kendrick Bourne, and it’s likely there’s only one spot to go between the two.

Similarly, there’s also likely just one spot between slot receivers Trent Taylor and Richie James. Taylor, whose back injury cut into his production last season, looks to be back on track in 2019. James, meanwhile, will have to earn a spot on the roster with his special teams abilities.

San Francisco has to figure out how the speedster, Marquise Goodwin, factors into the mix, too.

Keep an eye on early performances during training camp, as you’ll likely get a good glimpse how the preseason depth chart and pecking order pan out.