San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 24: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks is held back by his team after committing a foul against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Shaban Athuman/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

5. Dante Pettis, WR/KR (Washington)

The San Francisco 49ers rolled up the ninth-most passing yards in the league this past season. But the club only scored 15 times through the air this past season. That should change with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo the opening weekend starter in 2018.

Speedy Marquise Goodwin led all wide receivers on the team last season with 56 catches, averaging a brisk 17.2 yards per grab. Having a healthy Pierre Garcon in the lineup all season should help as well. And the Niners went out and added University of Washington wideout Dante Pettis in the second round. He figures to help out Kyle Shanahan’s team in more ways than one.

An NFC team West Coast scout told NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein that the former Husky standout was “really good with his routes. He was better last year when he had John Ross on the other side getting so much attention. He’s not incredibly fast which is why his punt return production is so impressive. He has a great feel for it.”

And it’s that play-making ability on special teams that is very much the key here. A season ago, the 49ers’ longest punt return was only 39 yards and its biggest play on kickoffs was a mere 34 yards. The team averaged just 18.4 yards per kickoff return — the second-worst in the league. Pettis’ ability to improve the San Francisco offense’s field position could be his biggest contribution to this club this fall.

Next: No. 4