San Francisco 49ers: 4 offensive sleepers to target in free agency
By Peter Panacy
49ers Sleeper Free-Agent No. 3: Wide Receiver Donte Moncrief
Typically, it’s risky to re-sign a player coming off a career year heading into free agency.
That’s the case with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who has both served as a viable third-down target and red-zone weapon since being grabbed by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. And last year, Bourne set career-highs with 49 receptions and 667 yards.
The Niners do have receiving-depth questions this offseason. And while the NFL Draft is laden with wide receiver prospects, it sure wouldn’t hurt to have some veteran additions to both spark the competition and provide some potential leadership throughout the upcoming year.
Back in 2018, New England Patriots wideout Donte Moncrief could have been a solid choice after starting off his career strong with the Indianapolis Colts, only to see his stats drop significantly entering his own contract year.
Moncrief bounced back enough with the Jacksonville Jaguars that year, though, accumulating 668 yards and three touchdowns. And while his last two seasons haven’t exactly been stellar, Moncrief is still young enough at 27 years old to suggest he can contribute in a likable way.
Especially considering San Francisco could use someone like the 6-foot-2, 216-pound Moncrief to replace the similar-build Bourne on the cheap.