49ers roster bubble watch on the eve of training camp 2023
By Peter Panacy
49ers wide receiver roster bubble
Lock: Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Deebo Samuel
Strong bubble: Ronnie Bell*, Chris Conley, Danny Gray
Weak bubble: Tay Martin, Willie Snead IV
Long shot: Dazz Newsome, Isaiah Winstead*
The first four spots on San Francisco's wide receiver depth chart are pretty much set with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud occupying them in that respective order.
After that, it's wide open.
Should Kyle Shanahan elect to keep six receivers, on the 53-man roster, the competition should safely include rookie Ronnie Bell and second-year pro Danny Gray, provided a savvy veteran like Willie Snead or Chris Conley won't steal the job.
Gray has speed but failed to do much else his rookie season, catching just one pass for 10 yards.
Bell, meanwhile, is much more physical and fits the mold of an over-the-middle target, which might suit what the 49ers need most right now.