49ers 2020 free agency needs: 3 low-cost options at wide receiver

The San Francisco 49ers have a need to reinforce their wide receiver corps in 2020. But with a limited amount of cap space, some low-budget options are the way to go.

Wide receiver is likely a position the San Francisco 49ers make changes this 2020 offseason.

Going into the upcoming year, only two receivers likely have established roles: Deebo Samuel and Kendrick Bourne, the latter being a restricted free agent who’s likely to return. Veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is a pending free agent. While the Niners probably want to bring him back, salary cap constraints will make that prospect difficult.

According to Over the Cap, San Francisco is armed with $13,108,031 in available cap space to attack free agency. The 49ers have been excellent managing ways to increase their cap space over the years, and one should expect cuts and contract restructures will help out a lot.

But with other pending free agents on the table, particularly defensive end Arik Armstead and defensive back Jimmie Ward, it’s still going to be tough for general manager John Lynch and Co. to spend lucratively on the open NFL free agency market this offseason.

Likewise, the Niners have the second to last pick in Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft, and they’re currently not selecting again until two picks in Round 5. While the 2020 draft class is awfully deep at wide receiver, the lack of picks could ultimately force San Francisco to check out the bargain basement at the position this offseason.

It wouldn’t necessarily be a bad idea, though. Third-year pro Dante Pettis fell off dramatically last year. 2019 rookie receiver Jalen Hurd, who spent his inaugural NFL campaign on injured reserve, has yet to play a down in the pros. Slot receiver Trent Taylor has been banged up the better part of the last two years.

So if the 49ers elect to explore the cheaper side of NFL free agency, here are three wide receivers who could make sense.