49ers vs. Chiefs: 5 must-watch players in 2021 preseason opener

Wide receiver Jehu Chesson #80 of the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
Wide receiver Jehu Chesson #80 of the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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Trent Sherfield, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Trent Sherfield (16) Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers Player to Watch No. 2: Wide Receiver Trent Sherfield

Trey Lance hasn’t been the only notable standout from training camp this year.

Fourth-year wide receiver Trent Sherfield, whom the Niners picked up during the offseason after he spent his first three years with the Arizona Cardinals, is working his way towards being the primary tertiary wideout on San Francisco’s depth chart behind the starters, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

Sherfield has been one of the preferred targets for both Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, too, meaning some extensive field time on Saturday with Lance at the helm could effectively crown Sherfield as the No. 3 option when the regular season rolls around.

Read More: 49ers vs. Chiefs: Preseason odds, injury report and predictions

True, there’s some added competition here. A veteran like Mohamed Sanu could potentially seize the opportunity, while others like Jauan Jennings and Richie James might look to ascend the depth chart as well.

Still, Sherfield has already started his separation from the pack despite primarily being a special teams ace for most of his budding career thus far.

If Sherfield ends up having a strong game versus Kansas City, there might not be any further doubt as to where he’ll end up on the depth chart by Week 1.