Niner Noise
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5 49ers players who could find themselves cut in 2020

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs out on the field during warm ups prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs out on the field during warm ups prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi's Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field after injuring his knee during their NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 23: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field after injuring his knee during their NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Levi’s Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Wide Receiver Dante Pettis

Again, another tougher decision for Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. But it isn’t one without reason.

During his rookie year in 2018, wide receiver Dante Pettis showcased enough attributes and abilities to suggest he could be a No. 1 pass-catching threat:

All that appeared to fall apart in 2019 training camp, though, which put Pettis in Shanahan’s proverbial “doghouse.”

It’s carried into the regular season, too.

Pettis, whose sophomore season has been marked by drops and a general inability to separate, now finds himself working lower on the depth chart.

“He’s had a number of opportunities,” Shanahan said earlier this week, via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. “I’m one of the guys that believe in him the most. That’s why he’s here. He’s had his opportunities. The more he doesn’t take advantage of his opportunities, the less opportunities he gets.”

The last part of Shanahan’s statement is what should catch the attention here.

The 2020 NFL Draft class is notably deep at wide receiver. And while San Francisco has already invested two second-round picks in wideouts the past two years, the other being Deebo Samuel, it’s not out question to see another targeted early again.

Even if that doesn’t happen, Pettis surely appears to be running out of opportunities.