49ers training camp: Predicting wide receiver depth chart after a week
By Peter Panacy
49ers depth chart: Active roster reserves
With those players not making the cut, the question how many receivers San Francisco keeps is essentially established.
Typically, teams keep no more than six wideouts on a 53-man roster, and even five is pretty common. Depth wide receivers must have some special teams abilities, too, so that factors into the question.
In this case, the 49ers would retain six receivers in total, and three of those would be listed as reserves behind a traditional WR1, WR2, slot makeup on the roster:
- Dante Pettis
- Jauan Jennings
- Deebo Samuel
Kyle Shanahan might not want to put Samuel on the PUP list to start the year, as that would keep the second-year pro from playing until Week 7. Instead, look for Samuel to be inactive for at least a week or two to start the year but still find his placement on the 53-man roster while he gets back up to speed.
Earlier this offseason, there was understandable question marks whether or not Pettis could make the roster after an abysmal 2019 campaign in which the 2018 second-round draft pick found himself inactive for Super Bowl LIV.
Yet Pettis has turned things around as of late in training camp, and the following report from NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco is awfully encouraging for Pettis’ chances:
After tumbling down the #49ers depth beginning this time a year ago, WR Dante Pettis had his most active practice in a long, long time. He has three catches — all over the middle — as he competes for a roster spot.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 18, 2020
Jennings, meanwhile, gives Shanahan a tough, physical presence and big-bodied option out of the slot. He should be safe, too.