Niner Noise
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5 under-radar 49ers players to watch over final three regular-season games

By Peter Panacy

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Emmanuel Moseley #41 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a defensive play during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Emmanuel Moseley #41 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a defensive play during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Richie James, 49ers
Richie James #13 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Wide Receiver Richie James

It still seems a bit strange Kyle Shanahan hasn’t used second-year wide receiver Richie James more on the offensive side of the ball. To date, James has appeared on just 21.5 percent of offensive snaps this year.

Whether or not Shanahan is saving James for key moments down the stretch or in the playoffs is anyone’s guess. It’s entirely possible the head coach wants to stick solely with wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders, Deebo Samuel and Kendrick Bourne instead.

Still, that doesn’t eliminate James as a player to watch over these final three games.

The primary reason has been on special teams, where James has served as the sole return option San Francisco has employed this season.

To date, James is averaging 8.3 yards per punt return, paired with an average of 19.6 yards returning kicks. Unlike last year against the Seahawks, he hasn’t had an explosive return taken to the house for a touchdown.

But one has to wonder if something like this could happen between now and Week 17’s conclusion.

Through 14 weeks, the 49ers have averaged an offensive-starting field position on their own 32.9-yard line, which is second best in the league. So, despite James not finding the end zone yet, his ability to give Shanahan good field position will remain crucial.