One of the positions that seems the most unsettled going into the 49ers final preseason game is wide receiver. Shanahan said he does not expect to keep more than 6. We know, Aiyuk and Samuel are locks but who will be the other four wide receivers?
Trent Sherfield: Pleasant surprise by the Cardinals castoff. Thought of as just a special teams player, Sherfield has seized his opportunities in camp as a genuine wide receiver.
Mohamad Sanu: The savvy vet has reinvented himself and his body to make this team, bringing leadership back to the room.
Travis Benjamin: Sat out last year. Brings speed but also some physicality.
Jalen Hurd: The 2019 67th pick was going to give Shanny a weapon of mass destruction as a big slot receiver/running back. Unfortunately, for Hurd health has been a 2 year exercise in futility. However, he recently stacked 2 days of very physical practices together and according to Shanahan he'll be playing in the Raiders game.
Jauan Jennings recent foot injury makes me think they'll do something with him.
Good topic, thanks, Razor.
ReplyDeleteIf Hurd remains healthy:
Aiyuk
Samuel
Hurd -- Big Slot
Sherfield
Jennings
Webster
If no Hurd:
Aiyuk
Samuel
Sanu -- Big Slot
Sherfield
Jennings
Webster
Actually, Dwelley could play Big Slot, couldn't he, so I think they could even go with five WRs. That is, no Hurd or Sanu. This would allow them to keep an extra TE. As I've said many times, I'm no student of football so I don't know if this would screw anything up.
Interesting idea, George. I suppose they could do the same thing with Matthews.
DeleteThanks, Razor. Yes, they could with Matthews. I think he'll make it, though, do you?
DeleteI DON'T think Matthews will make it.
DeleteNo. I thought Sanu would be a vet they could resign after week 1 but Matthews is for sure a player they could cut and feel assured they could call upon if needed.
DeleteSounds like JL just let the cat out of the bag:
ReplyDelete*Hurd isn’t going anywhere:
When asked about the 49ers receiving core, Lynch brought up Jalen Hurd, who practiced the past two days and is on pace to play Sunday:
“If Jalen Hurd can be out there — there’s a reason why we drafted Jalen Hurd. This is a critical stretch for Hurd. If he can practice three days/play on Sunday,/feel OK on Monday, ((( HE'LL BE ON THE ROSTER" )))
Those are big "if's", Geep. I'm betting he does it, but I wouldn't wager real money on it.
DeleteRazor
Delete(IF) If he can practice three days / play on Sunday, / feel OK on Monday, "HE'LL BE ON THE ROSTER"
He's practicing today (3rd day) and he'll play Sunday.
So if he's not back on IR Monday, according to JL, he
makes the 53? Am I wrong?
49Reasons:
Sounds to me like JL just got OUT OF HIS LANE? Do you
agree?
Reply
Geep, I have Hurd as my 6th wide receiver.
DeleteNo I don't GEEP. Apples and oranges.
DeleteJohn Lynch certainly gets to give his input in terms of the final roster, but this is more like him passing along conclusions to things that have already been discussed. John Lynch will give some input, I am sure of that, but that's not the same as John Lynch telling Kyle that Jalen Hurd has to make his roster, let alone JL telling Kyle that Jalen Hurd is going to be a starting WR, just as Lynch would not be telling DeMeco Ryans who he needs to start at Safety.
The HC needs to have the final say in regards to who's starting at what position, but when it comes to the defense, Kyle is usually (but not always), going to defer those defensive decision to his DC.
Could you imagine if John Lynch was dictating who starts at what position? Do you think would go over well with Kyle Shanahan? LOL
GEEP, I thought of you when I saw this report -
DeleteJohn Lynch: "49ers fielding calls from other teams interested in defensive players"
It doesn't necessarily say that they are going to be able to upgrade their RG position by trading away Defensive Tackles, but you might be on to something.
Personally, I like this DL better than the 49ers 2019 version, assuming Bosa and Ford do indeed return to form.
Delete49Reasons
DeleteYep, I'm hoping for a JL surprise...a shiny new RG that fits KS ZBS and can PASS BLOCK.
Short of something unforeseen (injuries), RG is the only hole I see in this 2021 9er team.
Sherfield
ReplyDeleteSanu
Hurd
Webster
I am going with Nsimba Webster over Travis Benjamin, because he's younger, and seems to offer a little more on Special Teams, but it's a toss up.
I thought Hurd was on the bobble, needing a good showing VS the Raiders on Sunday, but after Kyle's comments on KNBR, it seems like Hurd is a lock as long as he's healthy heading in final roster cuts.
The only thing that can derail this team early on in the season, is this nonsensical two-headed QB plan. There is a reason why NFL teams just don't do this. And no, Taysom Hill / Drew Brees situation is not comparable. I get that the Lions and Eagles are bad teams, but this feels like Kyle Shanahan trying to be too cute, overthinking things once again. If ever I've seen a QB who needs to find a rhythm, it's Jimmy G., so I think this plan is going to be the final nail in Jimmy's coffin.
Webster seems like a good candidate for the practice squad.
DeleteJimmy has handled everything pretty well thus far.
Oh, Jimmy's been an absolute pro, no doubt about that. He's a fantastic teammate and human being, and I am 100% sure that Jimmy doesn't like this plan.
DeleteI understand that Kyle's trying to thread the needle here, but I think you go with Jimmy G until he either doesn't get the job done, or gets hurt, which I hope doesn't happen. A 2-headed QB system sounds like a guaranteed failure to me, but what do I know?
ReplyDeleteI think you'll see Shanny take advantage of certain situations when using Lance. Specifically in the red zone, late in the game when the defense is worn down. Stuff like that.
DeleteI don't know if a 2-headed QB system could make it, but I think this is Kyle's way of handling the inevitability of Trey starting and appeasing the locker room at the same time. There'll be a drive coming up that he'll lead to a dramatic TD, Kyle will keep him in and that will be it. Props to Eric Branch for this.
DeleteThat sounds about right, George.
DeleteI think Eric Branch hit the head on the nail. Jimmy does have a lot of support within the locker room, so this does seem like Kyle is trying to thread that needle.
If that's the case, then Kyle is probably being smart about this. I have a hunch that it will probably will play out exactly the way Eric Branch suggests it will. I just hope it doesn't backfire before we get to that point.
Razor, doesn't Jimmy seem like the kind of QB who needs to find his rhythm? Also, at this stage are you confident that Trey Lance can come in cold off the bench, and hit that crossing route?
DeleteI don't see that this helps either QB, and that's my issue. But if this is a way to allow Trey to gradually take over by maybe midseason, then I guess that makes decent sense.
Dunno, but I trust Shanny to do what is best for the team.
DeleteThat's fair. I do think you have more confidence in Jimmy than I do, so we are probably going to have different views on this QB situation, and that's OK.
DeleteI hope you're right about Jimmy.
I think WR is the hardest position to predict for the 53.
ReplyDeleteDeebo, Aiyuk and Sherfield are locks.
I see Sanu, Hurd and Jennings vying for two spots. I don't think Sanu is a lock at all. But... may be a case where they cut him initially then bring him back so his contract isn't guaranteed, and then place someone on IR.
Hurd... hearing Lynch and Shanahan, any other time of year you'd take it at face value. Right now, could be trying to drum up interest ahead of cuts. But my gut tells me they are being honest - I think they really are intrigued and excited by the possibilities with a healthy Hurd and aren't ready to give that idea up. So if he looks anywhere decent against the Raiders I think he makes it.
Jennings I think is the one that makes decisions tough for Lynch and Shanahan. He's not as reliable a WR as Sanu, and not as explosive or dangerous an athlete as Hurd. He's somewhere in the middle. But he's a hard worker and helps out on STs. Will be a tough call to make.
Right now I am leaning towards the team keeping Hurd and Jennings. With Sanu on speed dial, and potentially even signed to the PS.
So then it comes down to the return man. Benjamin, James or Webster. Looks like James will be injured to start the season anyway, so I think he is now a long shot. And based on playing time in preseason, I think Benjamin is ahead of Webster. So my guess is Benjamin makes the roster.
Richie James to IR, at least we don't have to worry about his drops right now. It sounds like Hurd is a lock unless he blows it, so I guess it's Benjamin VS Webster:
DeleteTRAVIS BENJAMIN: 31 year old Benjamin, who only goes 170 lbs soaking wet, has a history with Kyle, which usually goes a long way with Kyle and his trust factor. Benjamin was extremely quit through the first half of camp if not even longer, but he's come on stronger as of late. He has 24 yards receiving on 6 targets, plus 2 punt returns for 18 yards, on the preseason.
NSIMBA WEBSTER: The Niners claimed the much younger Webster (25), who was with the Rams for his entire undrafted rookie season (both PS and active roster). Webster has had some explosive looking kickoff returns as he has 89 yards on 4 returns, and add on another explosive play, this time a 34 yard end around run, 2 receptions for 128 yards on 3 attempts. Webster look a little bit bigger and stronger (180 lbs), and he looks more explosive to me, but Benjamin is the faster straight line player by a significant margin, and that could be the decider for me if Lance is at QB, because Lance has a superior deep ball.
My eyes say Webster, but I think Benjamin's top line speed is the difference maker for me. Yah he's 31, but he also brings experience, so I've changed my mind on this one.
This is my pre Raiders game WR corps:
1 AIYUK
2 SAMUEL
3 SANU
4 SHERFIELD
5 HURD
6 BENJAMIN (small chance Webster)
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/49ers-richie-james-to-undergo-knee-surgery-will-reportedly-be-out-at-least-six-weeks/
ReplyDeleteRichie James to IR. Wink wink :)
There it is gentleman. Hurd virtually assured a spot on the roster now. He just has to play 10-15 snaps on Sunday and NOT get injured.
I think its likely
ReplyDeleteAiyuk, Samuel, Sanu, Sherfield,Hurd with Jauan and Benjamin fighting it out for that last spot. Though that will depend on 2 things, Jennings health and potentially if they think Matthews or Dwelley can play the big slot.
ReplyDeleteMatt Barrows
@mattbarrows
·
12h
I’d say Hurd, Jennings, Benjamin, interesting Tuesday waiver WR are competing for the last two WR spots.
Quote Tweet
Smalls
@smallsy49
· 13h
Replying to @mattbarrows
Matt, the buzz of Jauan Jennings seems to have quieted over the last week. With Benjamin being the returner to start the season (right?), is it Jennings or Hurd for that last spot?