The San Francisco 49ers are in need of a bounce back season after failing to make the playoffs in 2014. Undergoing changes in the front office normally means changes on the roster, but the 49ers did more adding than subtracting. San Francisco loaded up on depth this offseason including at the running back and wide receiver position. However, could the 49ers still be eyeing draft additions in those spots?
The 49ers have been linked to wide receiver deals in the draft for a portion of the offseason. They acquired Torrey Smith in free agency, but said goodbye to Michael Crabtree. Meanwhile Anquan Boldin is not getting any younger. Making their first pick at No. 15, top wide receivers might just be out of reach and require a trade up. However, the Sacramento Bee is reporting the 49ers are confident enough in their depth at the position that trade deals for players like Amari Cooper or Kevin White are highly unlikely.
Right now, San Francisco has Smith and Boldin as their main two receivers with Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington in rotation. Jerome Simpson was also signed in free agency after a stint with the Minnesota Vikings. General manager Trent Baalke told the media that he likes what he sees out of the rotation which is giving the 49ers flexibility in the draft.
"From what I can see from the window, I know one thing, we're fast ... er," Baalke said, via the team website. "With Torrey out there, with Simpson out there, Ellington is running well, Patton is running extremely well and could run well for his size ... I feel very good about the group of guys."
There is a chance that the 49ers could target a receiver in the first round, but most mock drafts believe the team will aim for the second or third round to add a body to the rotation. Players like Jaelen Strong, Phillip Dorsett or Devin Smith could be options then.
ESPN's Todd McShay believes the 49ers will opt to address the defense in the first round of the draft and replace players like Justin Smith. San Francisco is in need of some youth on that side of the ball which makes younger defensive ends the intended target. However, the Sacramento Bee believes that if a top wide receiver like DeVante Parker is still lingering at No. 15, the 49ers might consider the move.