5 players who likely suited up with SF 49ers for the last time

No. 3: SF 49ers Wide Receiver Kendrick Bourne

Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is a good third-down weapon and possession target, and he managed to lead all San Francisco pass-catchers in Week 17 with 76 yards on five grabs, including multiple ones on third and fourth downs.

That effort puts Bourne at 667 total receiving yards on the season, which marks a career high. And while he’ll never quite be in the same category as a true No. 1 target around the league, his uptick in production and general reliability should make him an attractive option for teams looking for free-agent upgrades at his position this offseason.

Bourne also told reporters after the Seattle loss he wants to return. Yet the SF 49ers may want to look elsewhere for a cheaper, younger replacement.

For starters, they’ll count on their top two wideouts, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, being fully healthy and leading this positional group in 2021. As far as slot production goes, exploring wide receiver Richie James or one of the many talented wide receivers in a deep class of NFL Draft prospects this offseason might be a better route to take.

For Bourne’s future with the Niners, he might simply be a victim of the numbers game, both in terms of roster spots and financial ability for the team to retain him beyond this season.