Last year, the San Francisco 49ers' leading wide receiver was their running back, Christian McCaffrey.
In other words, they severely lacked depth out wide.
This season appears to be a different story. With the signing of star Mike Evans and the second-round selection of De'Zhaun Stribling, the Niners' receiver room looks much different.
One veteran receiver might end up at the wrong end of this roster improvement, though, and it may mean the end of his time in San Francisco.
Demarcus Robinson might find himself the odd man out when all is said and done. The 31-year-old pro is entering his 10th season in the league and has primarily served as a deep threat thus far in his career. He was also a part of the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs team that beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
Last season, he collected 276 yards through the air in 14 games. That's not including the postseason, where he had a career game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He caught six passes for 111 yards and a touchdown in the crucial Wild Card Round win.
Bidding Demarcus Robinson farewell only makes sense for 49ers
Given how little production he had in his debut season with the Niners , Robinson might find himself as the odd man out in 2026. Evans and Stribling, along with Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk, are all ahead of him on the depth chart, and even 24-year-old Jordan Watkins might be more worthy of a roster spot considering his favorable contract of just over $1.2 million.
Robinson, on the other hand, is set to make $4 million and will be owed every penny if he starts Week 1 on the active roster.
With at least five receivers ahead of him on the depth chart and an unfavorable salary, the veteran might be looking for a new team before training camp is over. At this point, he represents nothing more than wasted cap space—someone who will fail to put up enough production to justify his spot on the payroll.
Despite being shorthanded last season, the 49ers still didn't find it necessary to make him a focal point of the passing attack. Kendrick Bourne, Jauan Jennings, and the aforementioned Pearsall all amassed more yardage than he did, and Pearsall played in just nine games.
While Niners fans will surely remember his breakout performance in last year's postseason, his release is all but inevitable. If and when the decision is made, fans will surely be rooting for him to find success wherever he goes.
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