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The 49ers used one draft pick this past weekend on a wide receiver. Only problem with drafting DeAndre Smelter is that he's the newest member of Team ACL. He will not be expected to participate this season. This pick was for the future of the team. Yesterday, the Niners made for the lack of picking a WR by signing 5 undrafted free agent WRs. Utah's Dres Anderson, Duke's Issac Blakeney, Washington's DiAndre Campbell, Henderson State's Darius Davis, and Alabama's DeAndrew White were all signed.
Adding all these receivers will add competition for roster spots. As of right now, the Niners have Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton, Chuck Jacobs and Jerome Simspon as receivers on the team. The 5 newly signed receivers makes the corp 11 total. Only Boldin and Smith are guaranteed spots. Ellington is most likely kept. That leaves the 8 others to compete for spots.
The undrafted signees have great opportunities to make the team. Bruce Ellington likely makes the team because of his asset as a kick returner. Quinton Patton has been with the team a couple years and has really never had a run with the team. This is his best chance at playing significant time if he makes the team. The competition should be fierce since this group is unheralded. We don't really know what we can get from the receivers behind Boldin and Smith. Let's see who has the best chemistry with Kaepernick and shows some playmaking ability that we have been missing.
49ers Links
No CB Or ILB (Maiocco)
Harold Too Good To Pass (Williams)
Always good | Competition Created (Barrows)
Undrafted FAs Signed (Gin)
Utah WR Signed (Branch)
9 Rookies Signed (Maiocco)
Let the position battle start | Heavy On WRs (Durkin)
QB Signed (Sports Network)
VD leadership (Fann)
Mixed reaction to this pick | Behind The Arik Armstead Pick (Emerick)
Get To Know Blake Bell (Emerick)
NFC West Draft Grades (Fann)