Free agency: 5 mistakes SF 49ers must not make in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: SF 49ers shouldn’t spend good money on a wide receiver
The Niners already have their top two wide receivers identified for 2021 and beyond, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
There are, however, question marks about the depth behind them. Kendrick Bourne and Trent Taylor are unrestricted free agents. Richie James and River Cracraft are role players, and the 2020 rookie, Jauan Jennings, is a developmental piece at best after spending his first year on the practice squad. Meanwhile, Jalen Hurd has yet to step on the field for a regular-season game after missing the last two years with serious injuries.
This might entice Kyle Shanahan to test the free-agent market for wide receiver depth. And while that’s not a bad idea in of itself, overspending on depth receivers would be one of the worst moves San Francisco could make. Even a possible Bourne re-sign deal begins to teeter on the boundary of overpayment.
Some top names, depending on what happens with their teams’ respective franchise tag use, include the Pittsburgh Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster and the Chicago Bears’ Allen Robinson.
Would either player help the SF 49ers? Absolutely.
Would either player end up costing the Niners far too much in a hefty contract? Absolutely, too.
What the Niners need are some gadget-type receivers who generally cost much less on the open market. Nothing more.