San Francisco 49ers: Top 5 AAF players the team should target

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GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 24: Charles Johnson #12 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 24, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. San Francisco 49ers AAF (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Now that the AAF has unfortunately come to an end, the San Francisco 49ers could look to capitalize and sign some of the league’s top talent.

The San Francisco 49ers may have their sights set on the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft, but they would be foolish to ignore a new opportunity that has just recently become available.

The upstart Alliance of American Football has officially suspended all football operations as the league has unofficially folded after just eight games played. While this is a true tragedy for all those involved, the league did serve its purpose in giving prospective NFL players a second chance to showcase their talent.

It’s expected that many of the AAF’s top players will receive offers from NFL teams and the festivities have already started. It was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Kansas City Chiefs had signed former 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser to a contract. Later on in the day, the Carolina Panthers agreed to a deal for speedy wideout Rashad Ross.

Both would have been excellent targets for the 49ers, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t solid options still available. With that, let’s take a look at five AAF players the 49ers should look to sign.

SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Quinton Patton #11 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks a tackle by Darron Lee #50 of the New York Jets during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. San Francisco 49ers AAF (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

5. Quinton Patton, WR

It’s no secret at all that the 49ers need a lot of help at the wide receiver position. The production from their 2018 receiving core was, let’s just say less than stellar.

Three of the team’s top four leaders in receptions were not even wide receivers — and yes that includes fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Only second-year wideout Kendrick Bourne pulled in more than 30 catches which is downright abysmal.

All of this means that San Francisco is desperate for any help at the receiver position and they may just be able to get that help from a familiar face.

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Former 49ers receiver Quinton Patton tore it up in the AAF playing for the Birmingham Iron. Patton brought in 33 grabs for 372 yards and two conversion attempts in just eight games. Again, those numbers would’ve put him as the team’s No. 2 leading receiver.

Now, of course, Patton did this at a much lower level of competition and 49ers expected starting receivers Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon were limited to just a combined 19 games. Still, it remains true that the 49ers could do much worse than giving their former 2013 fourth-round draft pick another chance in the NFL.

At this point, beggars can’t be choosers.