San Francisco 49ers: 3 players facing do-or-die seasons in 2020
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Wide Receiver Richie James
For the better part of the last two seasons, many a fan has clamored to see third-year wide receiver Richie James as a bigger part of Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
At times, James has been featured in a role. In Week 1 last year against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he flashed that potential with a 39-yard touchdown in San Francisco’s opening win of the season.
After that, however, James was all but relegated to return duties on special teams. Fumbling a return in the Super Bowl didn’t do him any favors moving forward, yet his lack of use on offense is arguably the more troubling aspect.
Especially when the 49ers were hurting for wide receiver contributions for much of the year before the team traded for the veteran, Emmanuel Sanders, prior to the NFL trade deadline.
Perhaps James was underutilized by Shanahan. That’s a safe argument. But one has to wonder why the head coach elected not to put the speedy, shifty James into a more prominent role. Was there something missing in practice? Does James have the route-running abilities so highly prized in Shanahan’s system?
It’s hard to say.
Either way, the depth of the 2020 NFL Draft class at wide receiver suggests James’ immediate future could be in doubt, especially if San Francisco elects to dip into this crop to reinforce a position of need this offseason.