San Francisco 49ers: What 2018 NFL Draft means for veteran receivers
The San Francisco 49ers selected two receivers in the 2018 NFL Draft, here we look at what it means for the veteran wideouts on the roster.
The San Francisco 49ers surprised many by focusing on offense early in the 2018 NFL Draft, with the selection of Dante Pettis in the second round perhaps their most eye-catching pick. San Francisco traded up to the 44th overall pick to select former Washington star, Pettis, an explosive downfield threat who can operate on the outside and from the slot and also brings upside as a kick returner.
But the 49ers also added another receiver, Richie James, with their final selection in the draft. James is an undersized but fast and versatile threat whose speed enables him to excel both as a pass catcher and out of the backfield.
The decision to bring in two more wideouts leaves the 49ers with an extremely crowded receiver room. However, this draft seems unlikely to mean much for Trent Taylor and Kendrick Bourne, who each had impressive rookie years, or Marquise Goodwin — entering his prime and coming off a career year in which only a Week 17 concussion prevented him from reaching 1,000 yards.
Instead the arrival of Pettis and James may have more of an impact on the 49ers’ two veteran receivers — Pierre Garcon and Aldrick Robinson.
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Garcon was on pace for 1,000 yards when his season was ended in Week 8 by a neck injury. He remains San Francisco’s most reliable receiver, but doesn’t have the downfield speed of the likes of Pettis and Goodwin.
That is not to say Garcon cannot create separation, his seven-catch, 142-yard performance in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams was enough evidence he is still a big-play threat who tracks the ball very well and can make spectacular grabs.
But he does not have the same field-stretching ability as Pettis and Goodwin and, as such, more snaps from the slot should be expected for Garcon, for whom a transition to the “big slot” role Larry Fitzgerald has excelled in for the Arizona Cardinals makes sense given his proficiency in making contested catches.
More snaps on the inside would not mean a decrease in Garcon’s impact on the offense. To the contrary, his skill set is ideal for the crowded area in the middle of the field, which quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has demonstrated no hesitation in throwing in to, and he is still likely to be the pass-catcher called upon the majority of the time when the Niners need to move the ball on third down.
For Robinson, however, the selection of both Pettis and James in the draft place his position on the roster under threat.
He is blessed with the quickness to be able to make plays from the slot and has an in-depth knowledge of the Shanahan system, but, with Taylor and Bourne each having a year in the scheme under their belts, such an understanding is less valuable.
Taylor and Bourne each became receivers the 49ers could rely on in clutch situations, Garoppolo turning to both of them in game-winning drives during San Francisco’s five-game winning streak to end the 2017 season, the former recording the third-most receptions of any rookie wideout with 43.
They can therefore each be relied on as integral parts of the offense going forward and have time on their side, which is not something that can be said of Robinson, who is entering the final year of his contract. Many expected the 49ers to build the defense in the draft and receiver was not anticipated to be an area of significant focus.
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The fact that it was may result in a role change for Garcon, and makes it a strong possibility Robinson will be looking for a new team as the 49ers seek a big impact from a youthful core of wideouts.