4 former players SF 49ers wish were on current roster

No. 3: Former SF 49ers Wide Receiver Emmanuel Sanders

A cornerback certainly would be on the list of former players the SF 49ers would like to have back, especially considering the attrition the team has suffered here over the first five weeks. But considering there isn’t exactly a dearth of former Niners corners who are still active and contributing well, it’s essentially a moot point.

Another position, however, that has suffered attrition as well is at wide receiver where San Francisco has missed games from its top two starters, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, already this season.

And it prompts the question: Was San Francisco wise to let now-New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders depart in free agency?

Sanders signed on with the Saints on a two-year, $16 million deal, which all but priced him out of the Niners’ comfort zone. While he wasn’t a massive contributor in his half season with the Niners a year ago, his veteran presence and the ability to act as a decoy for both Samuel and tight end George Kittle was one of the reasons why Kyle Shanahan’s passing attack gained momentum in the second half of 2019.

Perhaps the SF 49ers should have considered keeping Sanders around a little while longer.

Especially when one considers a trio of Sanders, Samuel and Aiyuk as the top weapons at this position, which has been generally lacking for the Niners over the years.