San Francisco 49ers: 3 wide receivers facing uncertain futures in 2020

The San Francisco 49ers could shake up their wide receiver position more than any other group in 2020, and these three wideouts are deep within the possible changes.

By the end of the 2019 season and into the playoffs, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan entrusted essentially three wide receivers with pass-catching duties: Deebo Samuel, Emmanuel Sanders and Kendrick Bourne.

There were other options, yes. But none made any substantial impact outside that trio.

Heading into 2020, it’s likely the Niners will be forced into shaking up the position considerably. Sanders is a pending free agent. And while Shanahan has reiterated he wants the veteran back, San Francisco’s current cap situation is going to be a big obstacle in meeting Sanders’ asking price.

Bourne, meanwhile, is a restricted free agent. And while it’s likely the former undrafted free agent returns on a tender, his role has essentially been limited to red-zone duties and situational snaps.

On the other hand, the 2020 NFL Draft class is historically deep at wide receiver. It would be foolish to think Shanahan and the 49ers front office wants to avoid this class altogether, taking full advantage of players who, in other drafts, would likely wind up going in Rounds 2 or 3. Tack on 2019 injurees, Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd, and the 2020 cast of wideouts should look vastly different than what it did last year.

This inevitably casts shadows over a number of other receivers currently on the depth chart. Without any moves this offseason, the three contained within this article would already face an uncertain future in San Francisco.

Any additional moves will only cast further shadows on whether or not these three have a chance to stick around into the 2020 regular season.