San Francisco 49ers: 5 bold predictions for training camp
By Peter Panacy
49ers camp prediction No. 3: Wide receiver corps will look bad… for a while
Not having Deebo Samuel and Richie James will hurt things a bit. But it does open up added chances for other players in training camp to receive those vital first- and second-team practice reps.
A lot of attention will be given to Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, while returning receivers Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd will be talked about a lot, too. Meanwhile, the 49ers brought aboard two veterans in Tavon Austin and J.J. Nelson, although it’s going to be tough for either to make the 53-man roster.
Looking at that entire crop, though, there are serious questions about each player. How will the two rookies’ maturation processes go? Are Taylor and Hurd poised to be fully healthy after missing all of 2019? Austin and Nelson will have to learn Kyle Shanahan’s offense awfully quick, too.
Recapturing the story about Dante Pettis, he and fellow receiver Kendrick Bourne are essentially the only fully reliable and healthy options for the Niners here.
That’s not too inspiring, and as such, it wouldn’t be that big of a bold prediction to suggest San Francisco’s wideouts struggle early and potentially for the majority of camp.