49ers roster: Predicting Trey Lance’s 5 favorite targets in 2022

The kind of chemistry 49ers quarterback Trey Lance develops with his receiving targets in training camp will play a vital role heading into the 2022 season.

Unlike the Chicago Bears, who essentially are leaving their second-year quarterback, Justin Fields, out to dry in 2022 with a complete lack of an offensive arsenal, the San Francisco 49ers have done their best to ensure quarterback Trey Lance is as well supported as possible entering his first full year as a starter.

Five of the nine players the Niners selected in this year’s NFL Draft were on the offensive side of the ball, and there were a number of key free-agent pickups, too, who’ll ultimately look to assist Lance amid the transition from his predecessor, Jimmy Garoppolo.

With Garoppolo, there were some trends as to which pass-catching targets he’d prefer. Given Lance had so little field time his rookie season, it’s much harder to gauge just who winds up being the go-to members of San Francisco’s receiving corps this season.

Training camp, kicking off later this summer, will provide a lot of evidence. But before we start hearing reports of which pass-catchers Lance is relying upon heavily, let’s try predicting the five he utilizes the most this season.

Trey Lance’s favorite target No. 5: 49ers WR Ray-Ray McCloud

It was tempting to put the 49ers’ third-round draft pick, wide receiver Danny Gray, here. But Gray’s absence from mandatory minicamp because of a leg injury opened up the door for one of those free-agent pickups to shine on the offensive side of the ball, former Pittsburgh Steelers return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud.

McCloud might have had fumbling issues earlier in his career. But as far as catching the ball goes, the 25-year-old McCloud has a sizable advantage over Gray, whose drops at SMU certainly hindered his draft stock despite his blazing-fast speed.

Gray might still be a gadget weapon whom Lance targets on special occasions. Yet McCloud demonstrated that straight-line speed during practices, too, and it wouldn’t be entirely shocking at all to see head coach Kyle Shanahan deploy McCloud as a receiving option for much of 2022 while Gray acclimates.

While the numbers for the primary return man might not be great on the offensive side of the ball, it’s within reason to see McCloud boast in the range of 25 catches for 315 yards and two touchdowns.