Niner Noise
FanSided

Top 10 takeaways from first phase of 49ers training camp

By Peter Panacy

ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 27: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball as he works out during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility on August 27, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 27: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball as he works out during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility on August 27, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 09: Richie James #13 of the San Francisco 49ers returns the opening kickoff 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: Richie James #13 of the San Francisco 49ers returns the opening kickoff against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

No. 7: Don’t Write Off Wide Receiver Richie James Yet

The 49ers stockpiled their wide receiver corps pretty heavily over the offseason, namely bringing aboard the veteran, Jordan Matthews, in free agency before adding Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively, of this year’s NFL Draft.

Along with other budding pass catchers, there just didn’t seem to be enough room for second-year wide receiver Richie James to make the regular-season cut, unless he was able to cut out a role on special teams.

James is poised to compete with fellow slot receiver Trent Taylor, who has also shined in training camp. But James, who could have been seen on the bubble, might not be as easy a decision.

Especially when you see route-running efforts like this:

James has also been the beneficiary of some long touchdown passes during both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, showcasing his explosive speed in the process.

So, if you were thinking James is a long shot to make the 53-man roster, you might want to think again.