San Francisco 49ers Poll: Which Receiver is the Best Option?
By Dan Fappiano
December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Bruce Ellington(10) is congratulated by quarterback
Colin Kaepernick(7) and wide receiver
Anquan Boldin(81) after scoring a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Levi
The San Francisco 49ers haven’t been able to find the answer to their questions at wide receiver for quite a few years now. They tried retooling the receiving core through the draft but whiffed on WRs such as A.J. Jenkins and Quinton Patton. Last year they traded for Steve Johnson from the Bills, but he turned on to be an average third WR.
San Francisco 49ers
Incumbent starter Anquan Boldin played decently in 2014, racking up 1,062 yards and 5 TDs, but Boldin is an aging receiver at 34 years old and is a free agent after the 2015 season. On the opposite side of the field, Michael Crabtree struggled with inconsistency, managing just 698 yards and 4 TDs.
Crabtree is also a free agent this offseason and is unlikely to return to the team. That seems increasingly likely given the fact that San Francisco recently signed Jerome Simpson to a two year deal. After being out of the league last year, Simpson is unlikely to produce any noticeable numbers for San Francisco.
The 49ers have been thin at the wide receiver spot and must find some tools for Kapernick in the 2015 offseason if they wish to contend in the vastly improved NFC West.
Next: Dorial Green-Beckham