San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 storylines to watch in 2021 training camp
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: The battle for 49ers No. 3 wide receiver
Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are going to be San Francisco’s WRs 1 and 2 this season, although not automatically in that order.
The real competition for the 49ers wide receiving depth chart begins at the No. 3 spot on the roster, and it’s appearing as if it’ll be a wide-open battle to win this crucial job in the wake of Kendrick Bourne leaving for the New England Patriots this offseason.
Early results from OTAs pointed towards one veteran, Mohamed Sanu, and a second-year pro, Jauan Jennings, being the favorites to get the job.
Yet the lack of press coverage and zero pass rush meant all receivers didn’t have to worry about fighting through premature passes or contact. And while both Sanu and Jennings built their reputations on physicality, training camp will reveal whether or not they’re still in the lead for the job.
Or, potentially, will a receiver like Jalen Hurd, Richie James, Trent Sherfield or Travis Benjamin win out and wind up stealing the No. 3 spot on the roster away from the likes of Jennings or Sanu?
Either way, the Niners will need to put a massive emphasis on ensuring whichever player winds up being capable of providing those crucial two or three catches per game, acting as a quality possession receiver whenever Samuel and Aiyuk are bottled up.