49ers vs. Buccaneers: 5 players to watch in 2019 regular-season opener

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 25: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after catching a 13-yard pass for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Wide Receiver Dante Pettis

If the Buccaneers boast a bad offensive line entering 2019, their secondary could arguably be listed worse.

At least Pro Football Focus thought so, ranking this unit dead last among all teams entering the regular season. Again during the offseason, Tampa Bay tried revamping this unit, adding cornerbacks Sean Bunting and Jamel Dean in Rounds 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft, respectively. Bunting likely starts, too, adding only an unproven commodity to a unit already boasting question marks.

And this is great news for the 49ers receiving corps.

While it’s possible to single out nearly any healthy San Francisco pass catcher for this contest, keep an eye on wide receiver Dante Pettis, who was under some scrutiny during the preseason, yet figures to be a key part of Kyle Shanahan’s offensive game plan.

With slot receiver Trent Taylor (foot) out, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Shanahan line Pettis up in the slot, putting him up against second-year Buccaneers cornerback M.J. Stewart.

PFF gave Stewart a lowly 58.7 overall grade last season, meaning this is a one-on-one matchup Pettis should be able to win early and often.