The San Francisco 49ers have been hit hard in the wide receiver department. The team traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders this offseason, thinking they had the depth. But, Jauan Jennings is holding out for a new contract, Brandon Aiyuk is working his way back from a torn ACL, and Demarcus Robinson facing a three-game suspension.
Due to all of this, the 49ers needed a wide receiver in the worst way. So, they reached out to the Kansas City Chiefs regarding one of their receivers, and ultimately got a deal done. On Wednesday, the 49ers and Chiefs agreed to terms on a trade, sending wide receiver Skyy Moore and a seventh-round pick to San Francisco in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
So, what does the 49ers' wide receiver depth chart look like now?
Projected 49ers wide receiver depth chart after Skyy Moore trade
First String | Second String | Third String |
|---|---|---|
Ricky Pearsall | Russell Gage Jr. | Robbie Chosen |
Brandon Aiyuk | Jordan Watkins | Terique Owens |
Jauan Jennings | Jacob Cowing | Skyy Moore |
The first string wide receiver group is in flux. Jennings not only a desire for a new contract, but he is also dealing with an ankle injury. Then, there's Aiyuk, recovering from a torn ACL and is expected to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he'll likely miss the first four games at minimum. That leaves Ricky Pearsall as the undisputed top option for the 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy.
The second string has uncertainty as well, as Jordan Watkins is sidelined due to a high ankle sprain.
As for where Moore stands, he's likely a third-string option with a chance to potentially climb up to a primary backup option. It could take time, as he gets familiar with Kyle Shanahan's playbook.
Moore never panned out for the Chiefs, as they expected him to be a primary pass-catching option for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. As a second-round pick, Moore didn't get close to that potential, whether it was due to injuries or being unable to crack the top of the depth chart.
In his three seasons with the Chiefs, Moore recorded 43 receptions for 494 yards and one touchdown on 74 targets. His first career touchdown came in Super Bowl 57 on a four-yard pass from Mahomes.
We'll see if Moore can climb up the depth chart as the team deals with injuries and suspensions at the start of the season. Perhaps a change of scenery will do him well.