Fansided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan talks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan talks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after making a reception during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 26-23. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 16: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers runs after making a reception during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Seahawks 26-23. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

3. Bolster the wide receiver corps

Recently, the Niners made a decision in regards to veteran Pierre Garcon. The 11-year veteran has hauled in a total of 628 passes for 7,854 yards and 38 touchdowns during his days with the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins and the 49ers. But the 32-year-old wideout couldn’t stay on the field with San Francisco, playing and starting only eight games in each season with the organization. His 16 performances added up to only 64 grabs for just 786 yards and one score. Hence the franchise deciding not to pick up the option on his contract, giving Garcon the chance to join his fourth team.

This past season, George Kittle set a new NFL single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end (1,377) and led the club with 88 receptions. Next up was wide receiver Kendrick Bourne with 42 catches, four for scores. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was third with 30 grabs. While 2018 second-round pick Dante Pettis did tie Kittle for the team lead with five touchdown receptions, he was tied for fourth on the club with 27 receptions – albeit in only 12 contests.

Deep threat Marquise Goodwin and Pettis were the team’s best big-play performers, the former missing five games but averaging 17.2 yards per catch and scoring four touchdowns. This is a young and somewhat unproven group that could add another veteran to fill Garcon’s veteran shoes.

As far as other news regarding the position (via NFL.com’s Jeremy Bergman), general manager John Lynch named Wes Welker wide receivers coach and hired Miles Austin as an offensive quality control coach. But by all indications, neither is ready to pull a Jason Witten and return to the sidelines.

Home/NFL