Today, we continue our 9-part series showing how much of the 49ers 2022 salary cap a certain position group takes up, and today we continue with the wide receivers.
Players Under Contract: Deebo Samuel(2022), Brandon Aiyuk(2023), Jauan Jennings(2022), Ray-Ray McCloud III(2023), Danny Gray(2025), Malik Turner(2022), Marcus Johnson(2022), Austin Mack(2022), Connor Wedington(2022), KeeSean Johnson(2022), Tay Martin(2024), & Taysir Mack(2024)
Total Cap Hit: $17,635,415
Let’s get this out of the way, I don’t see any way that Deebo Samuel, who is set to count $4,890,519 against the 2022 cap, is traded, nor do I think he won’t be extended, as I believe the 49ers know his worth, and will play him as so, somewhere in the $25 million a year range, with $60 million fully guaranteed.
Next is Brandon Aiyuk, the other starting wide receiver, who is set to count $3,417,641 against the cap, and he really had a nice season in 2021, especially after week 3, he really was used much more, proving the doubters wrong about him, and expect him to have a breakout season with Trey Lance at QB.
We have big slot wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who will count $825,000 against the cap, is someone who also broke out last season, had a really good season, so much that the 49ers couldn’t take him off the field, as he was just too dynamic, and clutch, especially on 3rd down, so expect more good things from JJ.
We have the 49ers free agent signings, first was wide receiver/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud III, who is set to count $1.91 million against the 2022 cap, and he brings speed, a real threat on kick returns & punt returns, and he’s a dynamic player, & he’s a good receiver too.
The 49ers also signed Malik Turner, & Marcus Johnson, who will count $945,000, & $895,000 respectively against the 2022 cap, and if the 49ers keep 6 wide receivers, I expect it to be one of these 2, most likely Turner, who also has a $25,000 week 1 roster bonus for making the 53-man roster, so his cap number would go up by $25,000.
The 49ers made SMU WR Danny Hall the 105th-overall pick in the 2022 draft, and he brings more speed, he’s dynamic, and he has experience returning kicks, & punts, so he can be McCloud’s primary backup, and he’s set to count $917,255 against the 2022 cap.
We have a trio of players set to make $705,000, 2 being undrafted free agents, Oklahoma State’s Tay Martin, & Pittsburgh Taysir Mack, and practice squad receiver Connor Wedington, & none of these players likely have a real shot at making the team, barring an amazing offseason & preseason.
The 49ers also have KeeSean Johnson, set to make $895,000, & a former high draft pick, now fighting for a spot with the 49ers, but like with the 3 receivers above, Johnson has little chance of making the team.
And finally, we have Austin Mack, who would make $825,000, but again, another player who has little chance to make the team.
As always, thanks for reading, leave a comment, or follow me on Twitter @49erscap.
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