49ers 2020 free agency needs: 3 low-cost options at wide receiver
By Peter Panacy
player. 57. . Wide Receiver. Chicago Bears. Taylor Gabriel. 1
The Chicago Bears shook up their offense shortly after the 2019 season, releasing 29-year-old wide receiver Taylor Gabriel on Feb. 21.
Gabriel, 5-foot-7 and 168 pounds, has overcome his lack of size to be productive enough at the NFL level, particularly back in 2016 with the Atlanta Falcons when he posted 579 yards on 35 receptions with six touchdowns.
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His offensive coordinator then? Kyle Shanahan.
Shanahan wanted Gabriel for the 49ers when he took over the head coaching gig the following season, yet Gabriel ultimately signed with Chicago. Now a free agent, one has to figure the Niners will express at least some interest.
Gabriel was scheduled to make $5.5 million in 2020 with the Bears, and his contract value this upcoming season is likely to be a bit less than that, putting him squarely into the bargain portion of the NFL free agency market.
The only question surrounding how serious Shanahan and the 49ers would be about pursuing Gabriel would hinge on how the head coach feels about two similar wide receivers, Trent Taylor and Richie James.
As noted earlier, Taylor has been injured the better part of 2018 and 2019, yet he has an already-established rapport with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. James, meanwhile, has scantly been used on offense.
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If San Francisco wants to consider a more-prominent presence, Gabriel might be a target.