49ers free agency: Predicting which free agents Niners re-sign
By Peter Panacy
49ers 2022 NFL free agency predictions: Wide receiver Richie James
Wide receiver Richie James is something of an anomaly.
Rarely given the chance to impact the offense during his previous seasons leading into 2021, James nevertheless saw ample time as a return specialist and even flashed greatly during that 2020 Thursday Night Football game against the Packers when virtually no other receiver was available to San Francisco.
Yet James ultimately suffered an injury during the 49ers’ preseason program, and the team waived him with an injury designation. Not claimed by another team, James reverted back to the Niners roster and missed the entirety of 2021 with that injury.
James, who’ll turn 27 years old at the start of next season, might not figure into San Francisco’s long-term plans, particularly if it’s looking to beef up its wide receiver depth chart with other options and is also seeking out an upgrade for the return game.
While it might be something of a shame to let James go, that’s probably the reality he faces heading into 2022.
Prediction: Not re-signed