San Francisco 49ers: 5 players who’ll lose a roster spot after 2020 NFL Draft

No. 1: Wide Receiver Travis Benjamin

One of the 49ers’ other free-agent additions this offseason was former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin, whom the Niners inked to a one-year, $1.05 million contract.

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Benjamin would have been an exciting addition two or three years ago, back during the years in which he was regularly posting north of 500 yards per season, first with the Cleveland Browns before moving to Los Angeles. Since then, however, Benjamin’s career has been hit by injuries and inconsistency, and he was limited to a mere six receptions for 30 yards over five games played for the Chargers a year ago.

True, Benjamin has speed on his side. During his own NFL Scouting Combine workouts, the 5-foot-10 speedster ran a blazing-fast 4.36 40-yard time.

But that was back in 2012.

Now at 30 years old, Benjamin is no longer that kind of threat. And while trading away Marquise Goodwin freed up an extra spot, the Niners’ NFL Draft selections of Brandon Aiyuk (Round 1) and Jauan Jennings (Round 7) close off two spots.

Especially considering both Aiyuk and Jennings have more physical a presence, potentially suggesting Kyle Shanahan is moving away from speedy finesse receivers.

Either way, it’s going to be an uphill climb for Benjamin to make the roster. Given his lowly cap numbers, Benjamin seems poised for a roster cut than anything else.