49ers roster: 3 cheap free-agent wide receivers who can still help
By Peter Panacy
49ers Target No. 3: Dede Westbrook
The 49ers have reportedly flirted with veteran wide receiver Dede Westbrook, at least according to NFL insider Josina Anderson:
Dede Westbrook (ACL) is expecting 2b fully cleared to participate in football activities by the 8-month mark, per source. He incurred the injury Oct. 25th last season, had surgery in Nov. There's been preliminary communication b/w Westbrook & the #49ers not too long ago as well.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) May 24, 2021
Westbrook, 27 years old, tore his ACL last October when he was in his fourth year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but all expectations point to him being fully ready for training camp later this summer.
Over four years with the Jags, Westbrook had 160 catches for 1,720 yards and nine touchdowns, and his best campaign came back in 2018 when he posted 66 catches for 717 yards and five scores.
Back at his pro day, Westbrook ran a sub-4.40 time, so he has big-play speed on his side. And he also has experience as a kick and punt returner, too, which isn’t bad considering the Niners have a need there, too.
It’s anyone’s guess if the torn ACL impacts Westbrook’s overall speed. But considering the receiver missed a sizable chunk of time last year and remains unsigned, it’s likely San Francisco could have him on the cheap.
Perhaps after June 1.