49ers pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction: Who survives cuts?
49ers' Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR Deebo Samuel
WR Jauan Jennings
WR Ricky Pearsall
WR Jacob Cowing
WR Ronnie Bell
TE George Kittle
TE Logan Thomas
TE Brayden Willis
Hey, if Netflix can lump all pass catchers together in a show called Receiver, then why can't we do it here?
The starters here are among the best in all of the NFL, with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle, along with Jauan Jennings as the third down specialist, leading the line.
And yes, Aiyuk is here and he's going to be a 49er for at least 2024 because there's no way the Niners do anything to jeopardize this season just to avoid an awkward situation, barring a trade that helps alleviate the pressure of Aiyuk's contract needs and still helps San Francisco in 2024. Since those are unlikely, he'll be here and he'll be highly incentivized to have a massive season.
From there, the wideout group gets young, as rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall is a lock to make the roster and I think fellow rookie Jacob Cowing will force his way onto the team because he provides something that the 49ers don't have a great deal of: he's just plain fast. But unlike the previous attempt to add speed (read: Danny Gray), Cowing has shown other skills as a highly productive college receiver.
You could then convince me of almost anyone to take the sixth receiver spot (Chris Conley was great in the playoffs last season, Trent Taylor provides a true slot option and veteran savvy), but I think the Niners really want to make Ronnie Bell into a player. If he shows out in camp, he'll make the roster, especially since there's a good chance that Conley and Taylor will make it to the practice squad if they want.
As for the tight ends, Kittle is obvious and I think, barring disaster, that Logan Thomas is as well. He's coming off a productive final season in Washington (55 receptions for 496 yards and four touchdowns) and he's easily the best TE2 the 49ers have had next to Kittle, save for Jordan Reed, another former Washington tight end.
The third slot comes down to a couple of second-year guys, and I think Brayden Willis gets the slight edge because he played and grew last season, whereas Cameron Latu did not. Maybe the optics are better if Latu comes out of nowhere and wins the job (i.e. they didn't blow a third-round pick on a guy who couldn't make the team), but they need the best player there (and hope Latu clears waivers and goes to the practice squad).