49ers Roster, 90-in-90 breakdowns: Marlon Moore

Here at Niners Nation, we're presenting a series called "90-in-90". We'll be looking at every player on the 49ers offseason roster, one player per post, from now until the start of training camp.

The 49ers used this offseason to reinforce their wide receiver corps, and that was before Michael Crabtree tore his Achilles tendon. Prior to Crabtree's injury, the wide receiver position had some question marks due to injuries to Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams. A lack of a clear No. 2 wide receiver was seemingly rectified with the trade for Anquan Boldin, but that became an issue again when Crabtree went down.

The 49ers made an under-the-radar move in March when they signed former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Marlon Moore. The move brought on discussions primarily of special teams. Moore isn't a big guy, and even this feature from Matt Barrows talks about his potential in a gunner role. he stands 6'0, 190 pounds, and ran a 4.49-second 40 back at his pro day in 2010. He's got some wheels, but it's not exactly jaw-dropping from an NFL perspective (he'd obviously burn me easily).

Moore was originally signed by the Dolphins in 2010 as an undrafted free agent. He played in nine games as a rookie, six games in 2011, and ten games in 2012. He was never able to emerge, collecting a total of 12 receptions for 244 yards and two touchdowns during his time in Miami. He was a restricted free agent, but the Dolphins didn't even attempt to tender him. Considering the Dolphins' question marks at wide receiver, his failure to crack the lineup consistently is not exactly inspiring.

What to expect in 2013

If Moore does make the roster, he would likely operate primarily in a special teams role, although he would likely find himself inactive at times as well. The 49ers' wide receivers would likely include some combination of Anquan Boldin, Kyle Williams, A.J. Jenkins, and Quinton Patton, with Mario Manningham potentially starting the season on the PUP list.

Even if Moore landed a spot ahead of Ricardo Lockette, Chuck Jacobs or any of the other receivers at the bottom of the depth chart, he would still likely be far enough behind Boldin/Williams/Jenkins/Patton, that he would be lacking in playing time. It would be a pretty sizable upset if he saw regular wide receiver playing time this season.

Odds of making the roster

The loss of Crabtree and the likely PUP option for Manningham opened the door for one of the 49ers' numerous unheralded wide receivers. There is room for one, if not two of them after Boldin, Williams, Jenkins and Patton. Lockette has been Colin Kaepernick's roommate, while Chad Hall has a year under his belt, and even managed to get active in the playoffs.

Matt Barrows was fairly impressed with Moore in minicamp, but we'll have to wait and see how he performs once things get physical in training camp and the preseason. He's no longer a complete long shot for a roster spot, but it's going to be an over-the-top rope battle royal for a roster spot.