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

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Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State Sun Devils, 49ers

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk #2 of the Arizona State Sun Devils (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

49ers depth chart: Wide receiver starters

Sure, there may be questions surrounding just how good (or bad) the Niners’ wide receiver room will be at the start of the season. But for the worriers, worry not. Remember, San Francisco wasn’t getting much wide receiver production over the first half of 2019 before Emmanuel Sanders arrived, and the 49ers still started the season 8-0.

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That said, there’s going to be pressure on this unit to deliver. And fortunately, enough of the projected starting crop has been delivering in training camp.

For the order, here you go:

Kendrick Bourne
Brandon Aiyuk
Trent Taylor

Bourne has been a consistent contributor in camp, and it’ll be fun to see him expand beyond his traditional red-zone usage this season, especially early. Meanwhile, Taylor will look to recapture his chemistry with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, stemming on the two’s success on third downs.

Yet one of the biggest storylines in camp has been the quick maturation of Aiyuk, who is justifying San Francisco’s first-round selection of him by dazzling with some impressive catches. There appears to be a connection with Garoppolo, too, as the rookie’s abilities running complex routes has eased concerns of any difficulties of an offseason lacking spring workouts.

It still might be premature to assume Aiyuk is wide receiver No. 1 right out of the gate. Kyle Shanahan probably won’t want to put that much pressure on a rookie immediately, giving Bourne the initial nod.

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The hope, however, would be for Aiyuk to assume one of those starting roles alongside Deebo Samuel when the latter comes back, and that’ll make the 49ers’ depth chart here look much more potent.