Today we continue our 9-part series of looking at each position group, and what they would cost the 49ers against the cap, today we have the Wide Receivers.
The 49ers have 13 wide receivers signed for 2021, set to count $14,651,975 against the 2021 cap, and there’s a lot of questions that need to be answered.
Let’s start off with Brandon Aiyuk, who really had a very good, maybe even great rookie season in 2020, and really should thrive, and get better in 2021, he is set to count $2,848,034 against the 2021 cap.
I expect Aiyuk to have a great 2021 season, solidifying his role as the teams #1 WR.
Also Aiyuk is one of 2 players in this group that are a given, the other being Deebo Samuel.
Now we have Samuel, who will count $2,099,279 against the 2021 cap.
Now injury issues hurt him in 2020, as he played in just 7 games, while he only missed 1 game his rookie season.
Samuel is one of the most underrated, underappreciated, and dynamic players on the entire 49ers roster, he can catch, he can block, he’s great on those end arounds, so I’m expecting him to have a really good year, solidifying him as a the teams #2 WR.
Now we have Jalen Hurd, who is set to count $1,167,186 against the 2021 cap.
This is also where the uncertainty begins, Hurd has yet to play a down for the 49ers, he only had, I believe 2 preseason games, before injuring his back.
Hurd was viewed as a Big Slot WR, someone who can do everything, run, block, catch, etc..
If Hurd can finally stay healthy, he shows up, and plays great in the preseason, then I don’t see any reason why Hurd isn’t on the teams 53-man roster, but also he should be on the week 1 48-man active game day roster.
Next up is 2020 COVID opt-out Travis Benjamin, who is set to count $1.075 million against the 2021 cap.
There isn’t much we know about Benjamin, other than he has great speed, he’s a veteran, and he could mentor the younger guys, he also has return ability, so that a big plus.
Benjamin will have to beat out several other wide receivers for a roster spot.
Now we have Richie James Jr., who is set to count $939,143 against the 2021 cap.
James is a player that people get excited about, he makes a play or 2, but then that’s it, I don’t know if it’s James or coach Shanahan not having faith in him, because he has the speed, and good hands.
On the other hand, the 49ers need to remove James from the return game, in the Super Bowl he muffed a punt that could have turned into points had it been a turnover, and in 2020 he had a muffed punt where it did lead to points off a turnover.
So James is a guy who is also competing with several other wide receivers for a roster spot.
Now we have Trent Sherfield, who will count $920,000 against the 2021 cap, and the 49ers like him so much, that they guaranteed $200,000 of his salary.
Now the $200,000 guaranteed money doesn’t automatically make him a lock, but he has the upper hand on being on the 49ers 53-man roster, and their week 1 48-man active game day roster.
Sherfield hasn’t had the chance to show off his abilities, so now that he’s with the 49ers, and more importantly Kyle Shanahan, he will have a chance to do so, plus he’s a great special teams player.
We have Mohamed Sanu Sr. next, who is set to count $915,000 against the cap in 2021, that’s if he makes the roster, as he has a roster bonus for making the week 1 53-man roster.
Sanu is the veteran in the 49ers locker room, he was with the 49ers for basically what seemed like a cup of tea, he didn’t last long, which is why many were surprised that the 49ers signed him this offseason.
Sanu is clearly not the same player that he was in Atlanta, maybe age has caught up to him, but he isn’t that same guy you could always count on.
Again, Sanu will have to beat out several other wide receivers for a roster spot, but unlike the others, Sanu doesn’t offer special teams abilities.
Kevin White is next, the former 1st-round pick of the Chicago Bears, is set to count $850,000 against the 2021 cap.
White is really a long shot to make the 49ers roster, he hasn’t shown much of anything in his career that says he should be one of the 49ers top wide receivers.
Next up is Andy Jones, who is set to count $850,000 against the 2021 cap.
He was signed a few weeks ago, I don’t know much about him, but like with White, he seems like a long shot, maybe a practice squader, we’ll see.
River Cracraft is next, set to count $850,000 against the 2021 cap.
He played a little bit for the 49ers in 2020 when they were dealing with a combination of injuries, and players on the COVID-19 list, but he’s more than likely a long shot to make it.
Bennie Fowler is next, and he is also set to count $850,000 against the 2021 cap.
Fowler was signed after the 49ers released Marqise Lee, who they had signed 4 days prior to his release.
Fowler may have a chance at making the team, but more likely he is a long shot as well.
We have 2021 UDFA Austin Watkins Jr., who was a sought after player after he went undrafted, the 49ers gave him $105,000 in guaranteed money, which is the norm for UDFAs, as teams are capped at a certain amount, signing bonus wise, that they can give out, $160,000 for 2021, so teams have started to guarantee part of the players 1st-year base salary.
Watkins is likely a guy the 49ers would like to develop, he could end up being Kendrick Bourne’s replacement, only faster.
Lastly is Jauan Jennings, who will count $660,000 against the 2021 cap.
Jennings wasn’t ready in 2020, and it’s not his fault, they had no offseason programs, no OTAs, no minicamps, and no preseason, but during the few weeks the 49ers had their offseason workout program open, reports were that Jennings was looking good.
I think Jennings has a real good shot at making the 53-man roster, maybe in that Big Slot WR spot, or just because of upside, maybe he shows a lot in the preseason, and they decide it’s too risky to waive him, and risk losing him to another team.
So with all of this said, I thank everyone for reading article, as always you can follow me on Twitter @49erscap, or leave a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
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