49ers training camp: Predicting wide receiver depth chart after a week

49ers depth chart: Just missing the cut

Even though the Niners onboarded a number of veteran wideouts recently, it’s still going to be a tough call for any of the new additions to make the 53-man roster.

Tavon Austin, a former Round 1 NFL Draft addition of the St. Louis Rams, could serve as a legitimate deep threat for Kyle Shanahan and a potential return option, which might be necessary if Richie James’ injury stretches into the regular season.

But Austin is arguably the most possible of San Francisco’s fringe receivers to make the 53-man roster, yet even he doesn’t make the predicted cut.

As for the players who are on the outside, looking in, here you go:

• Tavon Austin
• Jaron Brown
• J.J. Nelson
• Shawn Poindexter
• Richie James

James falls on this list, not as a waived player, but rather as someone who likely starts the season on the PUP list, giving the 49ers that six-week window to determine whether or not to reactivate him later this season.

Poindexter, the 2019 rookie who tore his ACL in the preseason last year, has a massive 6-foot-5 frame that could be promising for Shanahan’s red-zone offense. After missing all of his rookie season, however, the smarter bet might be for Poindexter to marinate a bit more on the practice squad.

Austin, Brown and Nelson are all essentially training camp bodies, intended to spark the competition and push the Niners’ other wideouts.