Jim Harbaugh is not being shy about his team's need for another wide receiver. The San Francisco 49ers re-signed Anquan Boldin before free agency began and they will also be getting back a healthy Michael Crabtree who tore his Achilles last offseason and missed a portion of the year. However, there is uncertainty as the No. 3 spot, leaving Harbaugh to consider all options.
The 49ers were in the mix to sign several free agents. The team brought in players like Emmanuel Sanders, Hakeem Nicks and Julian Edelman for visits, hoping to land at least one, but all three wide receivers opted to head elsewhere, leaving San Francisco with nothing. Now Harbaugh is left to search elsewhere after a season where he claims quarterback Colin Kaepernick only had two playmakers to throw to.
"Some of the time there was just one guy to go to," Harbaugh said, via the Sacramento Bee. "There were times we had Anquan (Boldin) and Vernon (Davis). And they were literally doubling Anquan and Vernon. And he had one other option to go to. ... There was tough sledding. It's up to all of us to get better. There was a stretch last year where he didn't have (many receiving options), and he played through it. And never an excuse, never a bony finger of blame toward anybody. There was definitely times where we were just not getting guys open for him."
The 49ers did have issues at the position which contributed to the lack of options for Kaepernick. Crabtree did not return until December after healing his torn Achilles. Quinton Patton was fourth-round draft pick in 2013, but he also missed almost all of his rookie season with injuries. All that was left was Boldin and Davis who caught all but one of Kaepernick's 24 touchdown passes.
There are still a few free agents left on the market that the 49ers could look at. Kenny Britt is the best available and continues to visit teams and then leave without a contract. The 49ers have the winning pedigree to sway the former Tennessee Titan out to the West Coast. Miles Austin and Santonio Holmes are available and reportedly healthy. They would come cheap for San Francisco. However, the draft might be the best option going forward.
The 49ers do not draft until No. 30 in the first round. That takes them out of the running for players like Mike Evans and Sammy Watkins. It could also eliminate Odell Beckham Jr. However, if Harbaugh wants a receiver so badly, players like Marqise Lee or Kelvin Benjamin would be available in both the first or second rounds.