With the start of training camp about three weeks away, now is the perfect time to look at each of the position groups on the San Francisco 49ers roster and predict who will make the 53-man roster.
We have covered the quarterbacks and running backs; today’s focus will be the wide receivers.
On the roster: Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, Danny Gray, Marcus Johnson, Malik Turner, KeeSean Johnson, Taysir Mack, Austin Mack, Tay Martin
Analysis: Deebo Samuel is the best wide receiver to play for the 49ers since Jerry Rice. Don’t believe it? Compare the numbers from Samuel’s first three years to every receiver, including Terrell Owens.
Samuel started 2021 on fire. His 882 receiving yards were second only to Rice in franchise history and had him on pace for 1,874 yards. The need to use Samuel in the running game led to a reduction in targets, and he finished with 1405 yards and six touchdowns on 77 receptions.
Brandon Aiyuk is the clear number two receiver for the 49ers but has yet to fulfill his potential. After a strong rookie season, Aiyuk faced a limited role in San Francisco’s offense early in the season, limiting the second-year pro to only 96 receiving yards over the first six weeks. Aiyuk went on to record 730 of his 826 receiving yards over the final 11 games. With Trey Lance taking over at quarterback, fans may finally see the fulfillment of Aiyuk’s potential.
The most improved member of the 49ers offense last season was Jauan Jennings.
A seventh-round draft pick in 2020, Jennings spent his first season on San Francisco’s practice squad before breaking out in 2021.
Jennings recorded his first touchdown reception in week two against Philadelphia. Once veteran Mohamed Sanu was placed on injured reserve, Jennings moved into a more prominent role and made the most of his opportunity, recording 21 receptions for 251 yards and four touchdowns over the final nine games.
In total, Jennings came down with 24 receptions last season, 20 of which went for either a first down or a touchdown.
Joining Samuel, Aiyuk, and Jennings as locks to make the final roster are new additions Ray-Ray McCloud and Danny Gray.
McCloud joins the 49ers after spending the last two seasons with Pittsburgh. The four-year veteran is coming off the best season of his career, which saw him finish with 39 receptions for 277 yards.
Mostly known for his play on special teams, McCloud stood out during San Francisco’s offseason program, making grabs all over the field. He appears destined to replace the role filled last season by Trent Sherfield.
San Francisco selected Gray at the end of the third round in this year’s draft. The former SMU wideout is a speedster and is expected to add a vertical element to the 49ers passing game. Gray had an excellent practice in front of the media during rookie minicamp; however, he missed the remainder of the workouts due to a strained hamstring.
Question marks: Will Deebo Samuel receive a new contract before training camp?
The biggest non-quarterback story around the 49ers this offseason has involved the contract negotiations between the team and its star receiver.
Deebo Samuel requested a trade before the draft and has yet to rescind that demand. Despite this, Samuel reported to San Francisco’s mandatory minicamp in June. Although he did not participate in any drills with the team, Samuel interacted with his teammates throughout both practices.
San Francisco has a pattern of getting its big contract re-signings done around the start of training camp. It is hard to imagine Samuel attending practices without a new deal in place, making the next few weeks pivotal in negotiations.
Who takes the final roster spot?
Five roster spots appear set, and Marcus Johnson, Malik Turner, and rookie Tay Martin are the top candidates to fill the sixth and final spot.
The ability to play special teams is often the deciding factor at the back end of the roster. Malik Turner played under new 49ers special teams coordinator Brian Schneider during his time in Seattle. This familiarity and his wide receiver productivity make him a logical selection to make the cut.
53-man Roster Projection: (6) Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, Danny Gray, Malik Turner.
9ERS 2022 season success:
It’s as simple as ABC….
A) When the 9ers resign Deebo, IMO, they ‘ll have the best WR in the NFL.
B) If rookie WR Danny Grey is as good as JL and KS think he is, he’ll open up the field up for the other 9er receivers.
C) If the O-Line gives Lance the time to find his receivers, IMO, the 9ers will be a SB contender.
NOTE: I expect Kittle to have his best season and beat his 2021 record of 6 TD’s in 2022, with 10 TD’s
My gut tells me that because the deal to keep Deebo hasn’t been consummated,that there’s still the possibility for him to be traded…he hasn’t eased upon the trade demand..no new from the Niners on contract talks..and nothing from Deebo..just because he showed up at OTA’s doesn’t mean it’s a lock for him to stay…my gut tells me that there are suitors out there, but the pot isn’t quite sweet enough for the Niners to pull the trigger..if the offer for a trade meets their criteria, I think Deebo will play elsewhere this season..IMHO
My gut tells me that because the deal to keep Deebo hasn’t been consummated,that there’s still the possibility for him to be traded…he hasn’t eased upon the trade demand..no news from the Niners on contract talks..and nothing from Deebo..and, just because he showed up at OTA’s doesn’t mean it’s a lock for him to stay…my gut tells me that there are suitors out there, but the pot isn’t quite sweet enough for the Niners to pull the trigger..if the offer for a trade meets their criteria, I think Deebo will play elsewhere this season..IMHO
Nice write-up Jack.
I agree with your 6 WR players making the roster. I see a compromise with the f/o and Deebo. While Aiyuk had a good chemistry with Lance during preseason last year, there’s no guarantee that this chemistry will continue in 2022. This (imho) makes Deebo a must for 2022 and beyond.
I was really impressed with the play of Jauan Jennings last year and believe that he can be even better this season now that he has become better acclimated to the speed of the game. I’m looking forward to watch Danny Gray fly downfield even though he likely will have limited playing time this coming year. One thing is certain, Trey Lance will have an impressive staple of WRs to throw to.
Thank you, AES!
COULD IT HAPPEN?
Report: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Have Real Interest in San Francisco 49ers Quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo. The final quarterback name on the trade market may change coasts when all is said and done.
https://sports.yahoo.com/m/08737d36-48a0-3873-baa9-39227684af9f/report%3A-tampa-bay-buccaneers.html
It would mean Jimmy would have to backup Brady for another season. I was under the impression those two didn’t get along.
Rollo
JG’s no-trade clause expired at the start of the league year on March 16! The 9ers are free to trade him to any team that gives them what they want, especially if that team is willing to take on his $25.5 Mil. contract.
“JG’s no-trade clause expired”
Interesting. I guess the question becomes can Tampa afford both Brady and Jimmy .
SOME GOOD NEWS, THE 9ERS ARE GOING TO THE SB.
* NFL Media’s Adam Rank, the guy that famously guessed the 9ers would go 3-13 in 2019, when they wound up going to the Super Bowl, has predicted the 9ers will go 9W – 8L this season.
https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-network-49ers-schedule-prediction-2022/?itm_source=parsely-api
Gray will hardly play this year if he’s on the roster. He’s fifth or sixth on the depth chart. I predict he’ll be on IR all season with something relatively minor.
Andrew
“Gray will hardly play this year if he’s on the roster.”
Is that your opinion, or do YOU tell KS who gets to play?
Next time I’ll be sure to qualify every statement with an “IMO”, because, apparently, some readers are too simple to make that leap on their own.
My totally opinionated opinion:
If Jalen Hurd did not have injury issues and was able to realize his full potential in Shanahan’s offense. the 49ers would have 2 SuperBowl Championships in the past 3 years.
This is the first time 49ers Kyle Shanahan will have 5 WR locked into their depth chart positions before Training camp.
The Orbi router login page is fully managed by the Netgear Orbilogin control panel. The Netgear Orbi login page requires the credentials from the Orbi administration. On the back of the Orbi router, you can find the default credentials of the orbi admin login. If you want to access the internet you can do it through the default Orbi password, as the device will get permission to access it.