49ers OTAs: Quinton Patton stands out in extended opportunity

It is officially DefCon 1 for the Patton Army. The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver corps is a bit limited at OTAs, this week, and that has provided Quinton Patton a chance to stand out. Anquan Boldin is not in attendance at the voluntary activities, and Bruce Ellington is dealing with a hamstring. Considering DeAndre Smelter is still recovering from his ACL tear, that propelled Patton into the No. 2 receiver role next to Torrey Smith.

Strong practice from WR Quinton Patton, who got lot of action with Anquan Boldin not in attendance and Bruce Ellington nursing hammy strain.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) May 21, 2015

#49ers who stood out at UP TEMPO OTAs: Kap, Chuck Jacobs, TJE, Kendall, Vernon, Patton & khaki-free Tomsula

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) May 21, 2015

Play of the day at #49ers OTAs: @Kaepernick7's 50-yard TD pass to @PattonBoy_11.

— Taylor Price (@TaylorPrice) May 21, 2015

It is waaaaaaay too early to draw hard conclusions, but it is clear Patton has a chance to show some things heading into training camp. The absence of Boldin and Ellington provides more first team reps. He actually needs to take advantage of the opportunity, but the opportunity is at least there for him.

These absences also open the door for the five undrafted wide receivers the team signed earlier this month.

#49ers have an interesting group of undrafted WRs. Dres Anderson stood out today. Probably would have been drafted if not for knee injury.

— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) May 21, 2015

Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin will be the top two receivers, but after that, anybody can grab hold of an opportunity. The team brought in Jerome Simpson to compete, but even he is not assured of anything. I don't know that I would call that third wide receiver an X factor, but there are some interesting opportunities for a team that has struggled to find consistency from their third wide receiver (and frequently their second!).