Predicting 49ers 2019 wide receiver depth chart early in preseason

Starting Slot Receiver: Richie James

This is almost by default, as Trent Taylor was easily trending towards replicating the kind of impact he had during his impressive rookie season.

But Taylor’s foot fracture throws a monkey wrench into the 49ers’ plans now.

Kyle Shanahan can mix and match a number of different options here. Dante Pettis could operate out of the slot, as can Marquise Goodwin. But for some basic clarity — starting lineups are listed, after all — when considering how important it is to formulate a successful three-wide formation in today’s pass-happy NFL, let’s lock down a would-be slot starter.

In this case, it’s second-year pro Richie James.

James might have been on the periphery of the roster early in training camp. Thanks to some impressive camp performances, along with a six-catch, 31-yard offensive performance versus Dallas, James appears to be far more a lock to make the 53-man roster than he would have been based solely off his special teams abilities.

Taylor might be a more reliable weapon, but James is arguably much more explosive. And if the latter has truly made a leap and put all his natural tools together in one cohesive effort, it’s possible James could start the year off with a major bang until Taylor returns.

That alone would make for quite the ongoing competition for slot receiving duties throughout the regular season.