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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.
One of the biggest position competitions in 49ers training camp is at wide receiver. After Anquan Boldin, there are a handful of receivers competing for playing time and roster spots. Kyle Williams spoke to the media on Thursday, and when asked about losing Crabtree, he said that while it was a tough loss, the team has the depth to overcome it. They do not have a single Crabtree, but in his view, they have a host of quality receivers that can work together to overcome the loss.
One of the wide receivers competing for even just a roster spot is Chuck Jacobs. In May, the 49ers signed the undrafted free agent out Utah State. Jacobs is a Bay area native, born in Richmond in the East Bay. He attended Laney Junior College in Oakland before transferring to Utah State. Jacobs started 26 games in his two seasons with Utah State, catching 61 passes for 826 yards and seven touchdowns. He also got in work as a kick returner and punt returner, but he does not seem to be getting any of that kind of work in camp thus far.
Jacobs measures in at 6'0, 178 pounds, and ran a 4.50 40 at his Pro Day. I found a pair of scouting reports at Draft Insider and National Football Post. It sounds like while undersized he has some good physical skills, but he has to improve his awareness. They describe him as a practice squad candidate, and given that he only played two seasons at the Division I level, he has some work to do to develop his craft.
What to expect in 2013
Through the first two days of camp, his name has not come up in reports. That doesn't mean he isn't doing anything, but it does not exactly provide inspiration for a roster spot. If he did make the roster, it would likely be because he proved himself on special teams, but in reality, I think the most likely "best" expectation for 2013 is a spot on the practice squad.
Odds of making the roster
While he could make the practice squad, poor performances the first few weeks could end up with him as one of the early roster cuts. Given the number of receivers trying to show something, he will have to work hard to draw the coaching staff's attention. We'll see what kind of playing time he gets in that first preseason game. I suspect he'll be a fourth quarter receiver, but any earlier could give us a hint as to if the team likes him a little bit more.