The 49ers have arguably the most complete wide receiver room in 2022 that they’ve had under Kyle Shanahan, but what are the roles going to be?
One could make the argument San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has never had as talented or as deep a wide receiver corps during his tenure with the Niners as the one he’ll employ entering 2022.
It didn’t happen overnight, of course. San Francisco had to draft and adequately develop All-Pro wideout Deebo Samuel while also getting 2020 rookie Brandon Aiyuk out of his sophomore slump early in 2021. The 49ers also had to be patient with fellow 2020 rookie, Jauan Jennings, after he spent his first year in the NFL on the practice squad.
Add in a few more pieces along the way, and it’s not hard to see why Pro Football Focus ranked the Niners’ receiving crop in the “elite” category of NFL teams this season, coming in at No. 6 overall.
That’s just a projection, though. Much of any success San Francisco’s wide receivers will have this season will hinge on production, and that production is dependent largely on each player’s specific role in Shanahan’s offense.
What will those respective roles be? Let’s take a look, starting at the back end of the 90-man offseason depth chart.
49ers wide receivers on the roster bubble
It’s up to Shanahan, but it would be surprising to see the 49ers keep more than six wideouts on their 53-man roster, and even five would be a possibility.
Here are the names who are most likely heading into training camp on the weaker side of the bubble:
- KeeSean Johnson
- Marcus Johnson
- Austin Mack
- Taysir Mack
- Tay Martin
- Malik Turner
The Niners onboarded both Turner and Marcus Johnson as free agents this offseason, and both come with speed and special teams abilities. The latter will have to factor into any chances of surviving roster cuts, but the pro-level experience does bode well and give a leg up over undrafted free agents like Martin and Taysir Mack.
Turner, in particular, made a couple of nice grabs during organized team activities, yet there’s arguably only one spot on the 53-man roster available.
Two, perhaps three of the aforementioned names may be ticketed for the practice squad, but the rest are probably going to be jettisoned outside of the lucky individual who earns a would-be spot No. 6 on the regular-season depth chart.
49ers wide receivers Danny Gray, Ray-Ray McCloud (the rookie and the veteran)
A prime reason why one should look at the Niners’ wide receiver corps as fully complete is due to the 2022 Round 3 NFL Draft addition of former SMU wide receiver Danny Gray.
While Gray’s hands are certainly questionable, and that’ll be a point to monitor between now and Week 1, no one is questioning his speed — a blazing-fast 4.33 40-yard time during his NFL Scouting Combine workouts.
This field-stretching ability is something San Francisco hasn’t quite had since 2018 when wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, a former track star, was on the roster.
However, don’t get too excited about Gray’s immediate impact. He missed part of OTAs and mandatory minicamp with a hamstring injury, which opened up the door for one of the 49ers’ other free-agent pickups this offseason, Ray-Ray McCloud, to serve as that deep threat in practices.
Trey Lance threw a perfect dime to Ray Ray McCloud III today at #49ers’ practice on a deep ball. The downfield passing attack has a chance to be dynamic. McCloud has been electrifying during these practices. His explosion at the catch point is impressive.
— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryk) June 8, 2022
The Niners originally signed McCloud for his return abilities on special teams, but the former Pittsburgh Steeler had a career-best 39 receptions for 277 yards last season, bolstering his potential to be part of San Francisco’s offense and not just a third-phase player.
Gray, being a third-round pick, is all but guaranteed a roster spot if healthy. But he might have to sit behind McCloud if the veteran earns the right for more offensive play.
49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (the third-down target)
Typically, offenses look to their biggest playmakers in third-down situations.
Or they look for a reliable possession receiver.
Jauan Jennings’ 2021 stat line doesn’t exactly stand out as impressive: 24 receptions for 282 yards and five touchdowns. But anyone fully watching 49ers games last year can probably attest to just how clutch many of those grabs were.
Case in point, 10 of those 24 catches came on third down with eight of them successfully converting beyond the first-down marker.
As was the case with his college tape, Jennings isn’t going to win any footraces. But he does have the prowess to win with physicality, using his 6-foot-3 and 212-pound frame to bully opposing defenders.
Not just as a pass-catcher but as a blocker, too. Just ask Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs.
Jennings isn’t likely to see a massive uptick in targets, receptions or yards this season. However, just like 2021, the ones he does get should be significant and timely.
49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (the man-coverage specialist)
For the early portions of 2021, Kyle Shanahan often had to use Brandon Aiyuk in a field-stretching role, which didn’t exactly help the 2020 draft pick’s stat line with a weak-armed Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback.
It’s a thankless job regardless, running deep routes to draw a defender down the field all the while knowing targets aren’t likely coming your way.
That aspect of the offense should change a bit with Trey Lance and his stronger arm under center, but with the 49ers drafting Danny Gray and/or looking at Ray-Ray McCloud to serve as a speed threat, Aiyuk should be freed up to be more of a focal point of the offense.
Particularly against man coverage, where Aiyuk thrives.
Brandon Aiyuk was PFF's highest-graded 49ers player vs Dallas. That absolutely matches the eye test.
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 17, 2022
49ers drafted Aiyuk to beat man coverage and he consistently cooked Trevon Diggs. They also drafted him to block, he put on a clinic — even vs Micah Parsons (50 pounds heavier)
Aiyuk, who nevertheless had 826 receiving yards despite his slow start last season, is one of those players poised to benefit a lot with Lance under center, and it’s certainly reasonable to assume the former Arizona State wideout finally surpasses that 1,000-yard receiving plateau in 2022.
Particularly if defenses are locked in on the Niners’ No. 1 offensive weapon, Deebo Samuel.
49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (the wide back star threat)
San Francisco wisely avoided giving into temptation and trading Deebo Samuel earlier this offseason despite his frustrations amid contract-extension negotiations and his request to be moved.
And why would the 49ers want to do so anyway? Especially after Samuel recorded 1,770 all-purpose yards during the regular season a year ago, third most in the entire NFL.
Granted, 365 of those yards came on the ground, and Samuel might understandably not want to embrace the “wide back” role colloquially given to him, particularly knowing the added wear and tear will assuredly shorten his career.
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That said, Samuel’s dual-threat capabilities are what makes him unique, and it’s hard to think of him not wanting the ball in key situations, even if the game calls for a run play.
There’s a little bit of tug-of-war here regarding Samuel’s use in 2022, but it’s highly likely the Niners will revert back a bit and use him in more of a standard wide receiver role.
The slight change could cut into Samuel’s overall production this season, yet he should still easily be viewed as San Francisco’s No. 1 offensive threat, getting the lion’s share of targets and probably having no difficulty getting close or even over 1,200 yards receiving.
Aside from big money, that’s a great way to placate a top-end player.