49ers depth chart: 3 thinnest positions entering training camp

No. 2: 49ers Wide Receiver

San Francisco’s offensive line is relatively healthy entering training camp, but the same can’t exactly be said of its wide receiver corps.

Deebo Samuel (foot) and Richie James (wrist) are expected to miss camp with their respective injuries, and both players could potentially miss the opening chunk of the regular season, too. Veteran wide receiver Travis Benjamin, one of the 49ers’ few free-agent pickups this offseason, also elected to opt out in 2020, meaning there’s one less speed threat with plenty of pro-level experience.

Particularly early, this could put a lot of pressure on rookies like Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings to deliver much earlier than expected. It also mandates two receivers returning from season-long injuries last year, Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd, are also going to be expected to make a sizable contribution as long as they return healthy.

If there’s a bonus, the relative thinness at wide receiver opens up the door for fourth-year pro Kendrick Bourne to have a bigger role. Injuries and questions could also help salvage third-year pro Dante Pettis’ floundering career, as he’ll look to bounce back from what was a disastrous 2019 campaign.

Depth wideouts Shawn Poindexter and Chris Thompson remain long shots to make the 53-man roster.

There are a lot of bodies here, yes. Even without Samuel and James ready to participate. But that doesn’t automatically equate to high-caliber options, and the Niners are short on that front.