49ers roster: Grading each position after first 4 weeks of 2021

49ers Wide Receivers: A-

If you were to take away third-year wide receiver Deebo Samuel from this group, a C-minus would likely be warranted. Perhaps even lower.

Fortunately, Samuel is in the group. And after four weeks, he’s the NFL leader in receiving yards with 490, putting him on pace to crest over 2,000 receiving yards this season in its entirety.

Not sustainable, of course. But certainly, fun to watch. And those efforts have brought up the overall grade into the A-range.

Samuel’s three touchdowns also lead San Francisco’s offense, and those have come from both quarterbacks, Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance. So, while players like George Kittle have gotten off to a slower start, it’s not hard to see why Samuel has been the beneficiary.

Fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk started off slow, not getting a single target in Week 1 before having a mere one pass in Week 2. Since then, however, Aiyuk’s numbers have modestly increased to the tune of six catches for 58 yards. A far cry from Samuel, yes, but surely enough to suggest he’s no longer an offensive afterthought.

Speaking of modest, the 49ers have received that kind of production from their remaining wide receivers, with veteran Mohamed Sanu having eight receptions for 78 yards in what’s supposed to be a tertiary role to Aiyuk and Samuel.

Interesting, considering fellow wideout Trent Sherfield was a star in both training camp and the preseason.