49ers: Top 5 mistakes Lynch and Shanahan made during 2019 roster cuts
By Chris Wilson
No. 5: Releasing WR Jordan Matthews
Releasing veteran wide receiver Jordan Matthews didn’t make the San Francisco 49ers a better football team, but the transaction benefited two of the team’s wideouts: Kendrick Bourne and Trent Taylor.
Bourne showed his true self during an up-and-down preseason, as the former undrafted free agent alternated between dropping easy passes and making difficult touchdown catches. His first touchdown reception of the preseason came on a toe-tapping grab in the back of the end zone on a beautiful goal-line toss by quarterback Nick Mullens:
https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1163647077173170182
Bourne hauled in his second preseaseon score on a scramble drill, with QB C.J. Beathard finding his receiver — or at least throwing it in his general direction — near the pylon in the front of the end zone:
https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1167277764543537152
Taylor will primarily benefit from Matthews’ absence because he won’t need to compete with the “Big Slot” receiver for valuable playing time once he returns from injury. In addition, the third-year wideout will also get his No. 81 jersey back, which Matthews purchased from the undersized receiver at the start of training camp.
Outside of Matthews himself, the 49ers have the most to lose from their decision to cut the veteran wideout. Matthews has higher upside than Bourne, which was evident during training camp and when he was allowed on the field during the preseason.
Although Lynch called Matthews a “victim of circumstance” when he was released, the talented wideout was merely a victim of limited playing time. Bourne was given every opportunity to win the roster spot over 121 preseason snaps, while Matthews only saw the field for 24 passing plays, which is less than WR Jalen Hurd saw in his single preseason game.
Without ample opportunity to prove his worth, Matthews is left to wonder whether Mullens’ poorly thrown pass to the wide open receiver two weeks before his release ended up bring the difference between a roster spot and a trip to the unemployment line.