3 offseason moves 49ers still need to make
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers must sign Dede Westbrook
The 49ers already had some preliminary discussions with former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook, although those talks apparently didn’t get beyond the initial phases:
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 is a bit of a risk. Not only did he suffer an ACL tear last season, but he also fell out of favor on a bad Jaguars offense now poised to undergo a full rebuild.
Yet the Niners can bank on his solid levels of production from 2018 and 2019 where he amassed 717 and 660 receiving yards, respectively, with a combined eight touchdowns during that span. At 27 years old, Westbrook still has a few more quality years left in his football body, too, and it shouldn’t be a case where the 6-foot pass-catcher would cost a significant amount on the open market.
San Francisco has two clear-cut starters at the position, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. But it lacks a true No. 3 option capable of hauling in two or three passes a game — the same role occupied by now-New England Patriots wideout Kendrick Bourne.
Westbrook would be a classic low-risk, potentially high-reward move that could possibly pay off right now when the need is glaringly apparent.